Coonabarabran community in shock after deaths of two boys aged 6 and 7By Zaarkacha Marlan, Catherine James, Bruce MacKenzie and Victoria PengilleyABC Western PlainsTopic:Crime5h ago5 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 10:56pmLoading...In short:The bodies of two boys, aged 6 and 7, were found in a home at Coonabarabran in north-west NSW.A 66-year-old woman, who the ABC understands is the boys' grandmother, remains in hospital under police guard.What's next?Homicide squad detectives have joined the investigation.abc.net.au/news/coonabarabran-community-in-shock-after-death-of-two-boys/105257070Link copiedShareShare articleA small community in north-west New South Wales remains in shock today after two young boys were found dead inside a home at Coonabarabran.Police went to the house yesterday afternoon after receiving a "concern for welfare" report.Live MomentLook back at how ABC readers and other Australians responded to this live
moment.4m agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:19amPress conference finishedAssistant Commissioner Holland has finished his press conference in Coonabarabran on the deaths of a 6yo and 7yo in north-west NSW.Copy link5m agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:18amRegional town 'needs to band together'"It's a confronting tragedy that shouldn't have occurred," the assistant commissioner said."We've got two young kids who obviously have been looked after by their maternal grandmother in a small country town."The town needs to band together now and understand that this has happened."Copy link6m agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:17amGrandmother 'known to police'The grandmother was "known to police but not adversely", the assistant commissioner said.Her mental health history is "being investigated", he said.Copy linkShow moreThey discovered the bodies of two boys aged six and seven.If you or anyone you know needs help:Lifeline on 131 114Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800Beyond Blue on 1300 224 63613 YARN on 13 92 76Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Headspace on 1800 650 890ReachOutSANE on 1800 187 263Call triple-0 if you need immediate careA 66-year-old woman who was at the house and who the ABC understands is the boys' grandmother was arrested at the scene and remains in hospital under police guard.'Blanket of sadness'Melinda Thompson said locals were looking for answers."The biggest question that everyone wants to know is: What happened? What led to these boys tragically dying?" she said."The town seems to be in shock this morning.Melinda Thompson says sadness has enveloped the town. (ABC News.)"There are a lot of people that seem to be quiet and mentioning how sad it is and it just seems to have put a blanket of sadness over the town." 'Beautiful young kids'The news has rocked the close-knit community.Local woman Shiara Green told the ABC she spoke to her sons about the tragedy last night."I tried not to cry," she said."I'm emotional just trying to talk about it now."They didn't really react too much to it ... but [I said] you're going to hear about it all tomorrow when you go to school."Ms Green said she was unsure if her sons would take advantage of counselling the local school was offering. "I have a really good support system myself, lots of good family and friends around me," she said."In this community we always stick together and we'll always get through things like this."Warrumbungle Shire councillor Kodi Brady. (Supplied: Warrumbungle Shire Council)Warrumbungle Shire councillor Kodi Brady told ABC Western Plains the two boys were "absolutely beautiful young kids"."Little firecrackers ... it's just such a tragedy," he said."Obviously, an incident like this in any place is massive ... but in a small tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone, everyone is involved in sports and the school community, it is felt much harder, I believe."The ripple effect of that just flows out."'Going through hell'NSW Premier Chris Minns described the situation as "horrifying"."These are the kinds of events … that are just so heartbreaking for a community like that," he said today"To think of the vulnerability of young children in particular … I can imagine that that community is going through hell right now."The major obligation of the government today is to ensure that justice is done and, as a result of that, there's other things I'd like to say but I think it's important we allow police to continue their inquiries."'Quiet achievers'Peter Wilkie, a karate instructor in a nearby town, said both boys had taken lessons at his studio."They were good kids," Mr Wilkie said. "They were quiet achievers. "[The grandmother] was a helpful woman. She used to hold the bags for people at the studio."I can't believe this has happened."Mr Wilkie said he understood both children had disabilities and were not in touch with their parents.The ABC is not identifying the children or their grandmother for legal reasons.Police sources say the woman called the Department of Communities and Justice and reported the boys' deaths, but is not believed to have made any admissions.That prompted the police to do a welfare check.A crime scene remains in place where police found the two boys. (Catherine James: ABC Western Plains)At this stage police have not laid charges over the incident and say there is no threat to the community.Homicide squad detectives have been called in to help with the investigation.NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has described the incident as a "terrible, terrible tragedy"."The NSW Police will support the town of Coonabarabran in this horrific time," she said."Every resource will be made available for local police who responded to the call for help, and for the distraught family and community." Coonabarabran, 140 kilometres north-east of Dubbo, has a population of about 2,300.ABC Western Plains — local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each FridayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 5h ago5 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 10:56pm, updated 24m ago24 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 3:59amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesErin 'very reluctant' to let lunch guests near pantry, court hearsLIVEPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtNationals deputy leader 'shattered' she will likely lose Senate seatLIVEPhoto shows Perin Davey listens to a press conference by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek at Parliament HouseCould Labor's thumping election win put tax reform back on the agenda?Topic:TaxPhoto shows A man sitting on a stage wearing a suit and tie.Greens' Adam Bandt in danger as seat of Melbourne remains on knife's edgeTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A composite photo of a brunette woman, brown haired man with glasses, blonde woman with glasses and dark haired man.Rihanna, Janelle Monáe, Diana Ross and dramatic suit reveals at this year's Met GalaLIVEPhoto shows rihanna metRelated stories'Heartbreak' as two boys found dead in NSW, woman in custodyTopic:Law, Crime and JusticePhoto shows CoonabarabranRelated topicsCoonabarabranCrimeTop StoriesErin 'very reluctant' to let lunch guests near pantry, court hearsTopic:Law, Crime and JusticePhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtNationals deputy leader 'shattered' she will likely lose Senate seatTopic:ElectionsCould Labor's thumping election win put tax reform back on the agenda?Topic:TaxGreens' Adam Bandt in danger as seat of Melbourne remains on knife's edgeTopic:ElectionsRihanna, Janelle Monáe, Diana Ross and dramatic suit reveals at this year's Met GalaTopic:Arts, Cultural and Entertainment EventsJust InSeven West Media to buy Tasmania's Channel 7 and other Southern Cross TV assetsTopic:Media Industry11m ago11 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:12amLocals torch WA council's 'silly' blanket ban on fire pitsTopic:Local Government23m ago23 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:00amMushroom meal survivor takes the stand in Erin Patterson's trialTopic:Law, Crime and Justice20m ago20 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:03am'I could have been a Steve Irwin': Woman barbed by stingray near artery in armTopic:Marine Incidents53m ago53 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 3:30amMore Just InBack to top