A father who died with his five sons in a house fire near Brisbane was jailed for a domestic violence assault, and his partner previously had a restraining order against him, it can be revealed.
Wayne Godinet, 34, was killed alongside his twins Kyza and Koa, age four, three-year-old Nicky, and his two stepsons Zack, 11, and Harry, 10, after 6am on Sunday when the blaze tore through a rental property on Queensland’s Russell Island.
The boys’ mother Samantha Stephenson, 28, and her 21-year-old sister Connie escaped the burning home and were released from hospital on Monday.
Ms Godinet (pictured) died after he re-entered the home to retrieve his sons from the blaze
He also wouldn’t say whether the father-of-five was allowed to be at the home on Sunday morning.
In May 2017, an apprehended violence order was taken out against Mr Godinet on Ms Stephenson’s behalf.
Three months later, he was sentenced in Lismore District Court to ten months in prison for domestic violence, with a non-parole period of six months.
He was sentenced to a further four months for failing to comply with his bail conditions. The victim of the assault was not specified.
Mr Godinet was hit with a raft of restrictions in relation to the order, including one stating he must not approach her for ‘at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol or taking illicit drugs’.
The restraining order was supposed to expire in May 2018.
In December 2018, the pair celebrated the birth of their first children together, twins Kyza and Koa Godinet. A year later, they welcomed Nicky Godinet into the world.
The blaze completely destroyed the property it originated from and spread to two other houses
Speaking with media outlets on Monday, the day after the fire, close family friend Peter MacLoughlin recalled a conversation he had with Ms Stephenson.
‘Despite her saying they did have problems she said the family were so close and absolutely loved each other,’ he said.
Ms Stephenson’s close friend Lilly Salter set up a Go Fund Me to help the mum out with expenses, including the six funerals she will have to fund.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Salter said: ‘Samantha just wants the world to know – check your smoke alarms and hold your babies.’
Neighbours said Ms Stephenson had been sleeping upstairs with the children, while Mr Godinet slept downstairs.
She had managed to escape the flames with her sister, who said they jumped out of a second-floor window.
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But when Ms Stephenson tried to run back inside to get her sons – Mr Godinet stopped her, and bolted back into the burning building himself.
Tributes have been left at the scene of the deadly fire
He became trapped upstairs with twins Kyza and Koa, aged four, his three-year-old son Nicky, and stepsons, Zack, 11 and Harry, 10, before the second storey collapsed.
Police confirmed on Sunday afternoon that six bodies had been found in the wreckage.
The young mum was released from hospital on Monday morning and is cooperating with investigators, as they try to determine the cause of the fire.
Police have not yet determined whether the blaze is suspicious or not.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham also revealed on Monday there were several elements of the house fire that required ‘further scrutiny’ by police.
‘In terms of best investigative processes, the elements that need further investigation or clarification must remain confidential at this stage,’ he said.
Officers were stationed outside the home overnight on Sunday to guard the six bodies police believe remain inside the charred wreckage.
‘Today we’re hopeful of removing the bodies of the six people who tragically perished in this fire yesterday,’ Det Supt Massingham said.
‘A crime scene has been declared at Todman Street and fire investigators and scene of crime staff are there. Our disaster victim identification squad has been called in to assist in that process.’
Officers were stationed outside the home overnight on Sunday to guard the six bodies police believe remain inside the charred wreckage.
The blaze began at about 6am on Sunday and spread to two other houses, sending plumes of thick smoke billowing into the sky.
One home collapsed while firefighters worked to douse the flames on another.
About 20 firefighters were able to extinguish the flames on a third home.
Anyone with information or relevant footage of the incident are being urged to come forward as an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
Russell Island Rural Fire Brigade was the first to respond to the blaze, with witnesses then seeing ambulance and fire trucks boarding a barge to the island to assist.
