Woman and two children killed in ‘particularly violent’ alleged domestic violence attack

A man has been charged with murdering his partner and two children in an alleged domestic violence attack regarded as one of the most brutal and confronting ever encountered by senior NSW police.

The man, 47, was taken into custody at the family’s Campbelltown home just before 8pm on Monday after calling Triple Zero to report an incident to police. His partner, 46, and the boys, aged four and 12, were found in various rooms suffering lacerations and other significant injuries. The Herald has chosen not to publish details of the trio’s injuries.

“It was a particularly violent crime scene,” Acting Superintendent Michael Moroney said on Monday night.

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

After being formally interviewed overnight and cooperating with investigators, the man was charged with three counts of domestic violence murder. He was refused police bail to appear in Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday.

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

“I can reassure the public that domestic violence is a number one priority for NSW Police, and we will continue to prioritise [arresting alleged] DV offenders,” Moroney said.

Police cordoned off a section of the street surrounding the home as investigators canvassed the crime scene and interviewed neighbours. No one else was believed to be inside the home at the time of the alleged attack.

The deaths come days after 865 people were charged during a statewide blitz under the latest iteration of Operation Amarok, which targets domestic and family violence. Officers laid more than 2000 charges over four days.

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