The father of two boys found dead in their NSW Blue Mountains home has spoken for the first time, sharing a heartbreaking statement.
Nick Smith arrived at the Faulconbridge house the boys shared with their mother on Tuesday to find the bodies of nine-year-old Ben and his older brother Russell, aged 11.
“The loss of our two beautiful boys has caused unimaginable pain and distress,” he said in the statement, released this morning by NSW Police.
The father paid a tender tribute to his two boys.
“Russell and Ben were happy, funny, outgoing boys, and were very much loved by their family and friends,” he said.
“Like other boys their age, they loved sports, soccer, the Penrith Panthers, fishing, books, music, spending time with their friends and Max their pup.”
The boy’s mother Trish Smith, 42, is accused of killing the boys, however she is yet to be charged.
She was at the home when the bodies of the boys were discovered and had injuries which are believed to have been self-inflicted.
She was arrested by police and remains in hospital under police guard.
Mr Smith said he was still struggling to understand how his boys could been taken in that way.
As well as thanking the community for their support and kindness, he asked the media for privacy to allow the family to grieve.
Police have said their previous interactions with the mother had only been for minor matters.
She had previously appeared on an online podcast about urban agriculture and had also blogged about its impact on her mental health.
“I feel really grateful that I have access to education and support to understand my mental health better,” she wrote.
She had also recently turned their family home into a farm.
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