Police in Australia are investigating the fatal stabbing of eight children from the same family after the bodies, including that of a wounded woman, were found inside a home on Friday.
Police say the 34-year-old woman, who sustained chest wounds, is the mother of seven of the children. The eighth is said to be one of the family’s relatives. She is currently in stable condition at a northern Australian hospital, according to Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar.
He said he didn’t believe there was a multiple murderer still at large and that police were talking to the woman.
Asked if she was a suspect, he said officials have not yet identified any suspects and were questioning everyone who had contact with the family in the past 2-3 days.
“As it stands at the moment, there’s no need for the public to be concerned about this other than the fact that it’s a tragic, tragic event,” Asnicar said. “The situation is well controlled at the moment. There shouldn’t be any concern for anyone else out of this environment.”
Officials had not yet identified any suspects, but were talking to a range of people, he said.
“Everybody who’s had any involvement at all in the past two or three days is a person of interest,” Asnicar said.
On Friday, a candlelight vigil was held for the children, who ranged in age from 18 months to 15 years.
Lisa Thaiday, who said she was the injured woman’s cousin, said one of the woman’s other sons, a 20-year-old, came home and found his brothers and sisters dead inside the house.
“I’m going to see him now, he needs comforting,” Thaiday said. “We’re a big family … I just can’t believe it. We just found out (about) those poor babies.”
The street has been cordoned off and a crime scene will remain in place for at least the next day, Asnicar said.
Dozens of police descended on the home, and crowds of locals stood outside the police barricades, some of them wiping away tears.
“These events are extremely distressing for everyone of course and police officers aren’t immune from that – we’re human beings as well,” Ascinar said.
An investigation continues.
SOURCE: CBS | VIDEO SOURCE: News Inc.
