Four members of a family, including two teenage boys with disabilities, were found deceased at their Mosman Park home in Perth, Western Australia, in what police are investigating as a suspected murder-suicide. The tragic incident has led to urgent calls for increased support for families caring for individuals with high needs and prompted discussions regarding the accessibility and effectiveness of disability support systems.
The Incident and Investigation
Discovery and Initial Findings
On Friday morning, January 30, a person known to the family, identified as a care worker, visited a residence on Mott Close in Mosman Park for a pre-arranged appointment. Upon not receiving a response and finding a note, emergency services were contacted. Police officers entered the home and discovered four deceased individuals along with three deceased pets (two dogs and a cat).
The deceased were identified as Jarrod Clune, 50, Maiwenna Goasdoue, 49, and their sons, Leon, 16, and Otis, 14.
Authorities are investigating the deaths as a suspected murder-suicide. Initial reports indicated no weapons were used and no apparent violent incident was involved.
Police confirmed a note was found at the scene, and a second note recovered later reportedly supported the conclusion of a murder-suicide pact initiated by the parents. The bodies were located in different areas within the property. The family had no prior reported family violence matters with police. The exact cause of death has not been officially released, and the timeline of events leading to the deaths remains under investigation.
Investigation Details
A significant police presence, including dozens of officers, detectives, and forensic personnel, was deployed to the scene, with surrounding streets cordoned off. Authorities stated there was no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Deceased and Their Circumstances
The Clune Family
Leon and Otis Clune lived with disabilities, which friends later identified as severe autism. Both boys reportedly had significant health challenges and high support needs. An educator described them as "kind-hearted." Otis, who was non-verbal, had been expelled from a school two years prior following an incident, and his mother had been told he was a "monster." Both boys were attending a special needs school at the time of their deaths, and Leon was approaching high school graduation. The boys reportedly enjoyed Disney films.
Jarrod Clune and his sons previously attended Christ Church Grammar, a private boys' school, where the boys were members of the Peter Moyes Centre, which provided support for their learning needs. Maiwenna Goasdoue had previously advocated for autism awareness on social media.
Disability and Parental Struggles
Friends stated that the parents felt "isolated, unsupported, and abandoned," and one described their situation as a "losing battle" against systemic issues, citing concerns about a reported loss of government funding for one child.
Calls for Support and Systemic Concerns
The incident has prompted widespread calls for improved support systems for families caring for children with significant disabilities.
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Jo Russell, a mother from regional Western Australia caring for children with Asperger's syndrome, profound autism, and epilepsy, shared her experiences. She recounted a period of isolation and severe demand where she contemplated suicide. She detailed temporarily leaving her daughter at a hospital emergency department after an aggressive outburst resulted in a broken arm, leading to a month-long hospital stay and medication adjustments. Her daughter now has National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding and around-the-clock support, though Russell expressed ongoing concern about consistent funding. Russell described NDIS reforms as a "multi-system failure" due to complexity, navigation difficulties, and challenges in securing skilled staff.
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Mary Butterworth, CEO of Developmental Disability WA, called for increased support for families, attributing the tragedy to deficiencies in Western Australia's support services, including a lack of trained support workers and insufficient funding for staff training.
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Rosemary Kayess, Australia's Disability Discrimination Commissioner, expressed concern over public narratives, stating that the children's disabilities should not be a justification for their deaths.
She described narratives focusing on the "burden" of disability as "dangerous" and emphasized that a lack of adequate support does not justify family violence.
Commissioner Kayess advocated for a public coronial inquest into the deaths, hoping it would lead to recommendations from the 2023 disability royal commission being implemented.
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Skye Kakoschke-Moore, CEO of Children and Young People with Disability Australia, affirmed that children with disabilities are not a burden and emphasized the importance of reporting their deaths with dignity.
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Maddie Page, an autism mentor, asserted that the family had been "failed" by the NDIS system.
Personal Accounts and Challenges
Friends and other parents of children with severe disabilities offered perspectives on the profound challenges faced by families like the Clunes.
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A close family friend, Nedra, stated that Maiwenna had sought help and support for her children and avoided respite care due to fears of mistreatment. Nedra suggested that a lack of support, chronic sleep deprivation, and challenges associated with the boys' behaviors may have contributed to the parents feeling they had no other option.
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An anonymous friend described the parents as "strong" and deeply devoted to their sons, attributing the tragedy to parents feeling overwhelmed by the system and fearful for their children's future, rather than domestic violence.
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Simon Lewis, a friend of the Clune family and parent to a daughter with severe autism, described the profound challenges, including his daughter being non-verbal, requiring 24-hour care, and experiencing severe sleep deprivation for parents. He recounted a two-and-a-half-year wait for a formal diagnosis for his daughter, which meant no access to services. Lewis highlighted the isolation, stress, anxiety, and a lack of counseling for parents.
He also expressed concerns about the NDIS, which provides crucial funding for his daughter's carers, noting the "harrowing" annual recounting of details required to maintain funding and fears of reduction.
Community and Government Response
Local Community Grieves
A memorial service for the Clune family was held in Gibbon Park, Mosman Park, attended by approximately 30 people, including local officials such as Member for Cottesloe Sandra Brewer and Mosman Park Mayor Paul Shaw. The event, organized by the Mosman Park Sisterhood, aimed to provide a space for community grieving. State MP Sandra Brewer also called for a state coroner's inquest to provide answers and recommendations.
Official Reactions
Government officials responded to the incident and subsequent discussions:
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Premier Roger Cook stated that a police investigation would be completed before the government considers any potential improvements to services. He acknowledged public speculation regarding NDIS and schooling support, adding that the decision for an inquest rests with the coroner.
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Education Minister Sabine Winton recognized the challenges faced by parents of children with disabilities and mentioned ongoing efforts to enhance the treatment of children with disabilities in public schools.
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Federal Disability Minister Mark Butler confirmed that the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is cooperating with police inquiries and described the loss of the children's lives as an "unspeakable tragedy." He assured full NDIA assistance to the police investigation.
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A National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) spokesperson expressed sympathy and offered to cooperate with Western Australian authorities.
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WA's Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley expressed devastation and stated "help is available" in a social media post, which subsequently received comments from parents expressing frustration over perceived unavailability of support and funding issues. Minister Beazley later stated she had met with the disability community and heard diverse views.