Police allege father planned triple murder for months, inspired by Perth killings

Police allege a man meticulously planned the gruesome killings of his wife and two autistic sons months before murdering them in their Sydney home, having been inspired by a similar crime interstate.

The 47-year-old called police to the family’s home in Campbelltown in Sydney’s outer south-west on Monday night, allegedly telling a Triple Zero operator: “I kill my kids and my wife … with knives”, according to court documents obtained by this masthead.

Inside the home, police found the bodies of the man’s 46-year-old wife, and their two sons, aged four and 12. All three had suffered lacerations and other significant injuries this masthead has chosen not to publish details of due to their graphic nature.

The killings are considered among the most confronting alleged domestic violence attacks encountered by the state’s most experienced investigators.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested and charged with three counts of domestic violence murder.

The man was not known to police and did not have a criminal history. The family had no prior engagement with the Department of Communities and Justice.

It’s believed the father was the stay-at-home carer of the boys, who had developmental issues. His wife worked, and the pair had emigrated from Bangladesh about a decade ago.

Court documents state that the man was aware of the apparent murder-suicide in Perth. The WA parents, Maiwenna Goasdoue, 49, and Jarrod Clune, 50, are alleged to have killed their sons Leon, 16, and Otis, 14, who both had severe autism.

“In January 2026, the accused observed a news article about a murder in Perth whereby a mother and father murdered their two autistic children before committing suicide themselves,” the court documents allege.

“Since this time, the accused has been contemplating murdering his wife and children.”

Friends of the Perth couple described them as “overwhelmed” and struggling to access support. People who knew the Sydney man said the same on Tuesday.

Court documents allege the father told police his sons had severe autism minutes after his arrest.

The father also told police he had suffered from depression since being diagnosed with cancer in 2024. He has been in remission since January 2025.

Police cordoned off a section of the street surrounding the home as investigators canvassed the crime scene and interviewed neighbours.

People close to the family have been engulfed in grief after the incident. One group broke down on the street. Detectives bundled them around the corner to comfort and question them.

Another woman arrived earlier in the day, saying she lived downstairs at the Campbelltown home as a tenant, and went into shock at learning the news.

One neighbour said they had seen the “happy” children playing outside the home.

A nearby resident said she didn’t have money to buy flowers, so she cut some of her own to lay at the crime scene.

“How could you do this? They’re babies. Babies,” she said.

The 47-year-old did not appear in Campbelltown Local Court when his matter was briefly mentioned on Tuesday, and did not apply for bail.

The father’s solicitor, Jawad Hosain, told reporters outside court that his client was “distressed” in the police cells.

“It’s a tragic set of circumstances, and he is distraught,” he said.

Acting Superintendent Michael Moroney on Monday night said first responders were confronted by “a particularly violent crime scene”.

Detectives had located several items inside the house “which would be of interest in regard to the injuries sustained”, Moroney said. No firearms were found inside the home.

“I can reassure the public that domestic violence is a No.1 priority for NSW Police, and we will continue to prioritise [arresting alleged] DV offenders,” Moroney said.

Premier Chris Minns said people were “rightly outraged and devastated” by the shocking alleged triple murder: “So am I.”

The government will consider further funding to target domestic violence in June’s state budget.

“We have dramatically increased our domestic violence spending, both in capital terms, law enforcement terms, but also directly to frontline service providers,” Minns said on Tuesday.

“It’s not enough, and they’ve made that point.”

The deaths come days after 993 people were arrested and charged during a statewide blitz under Operation Amarok, which targets domestic and family violence. Officers laid more than 2000 charges over four days.

If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (and see lifeline.org.au), national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

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