Mosman Park double murder-suicide: WA Police investigating ‘critical’ second note found inside family home
A detailed letter found inside the home where two parents are suspected of killing their innocent teenage sons before taking their own lives, may hold critical answers for homicide detectives investigating the double-murder suicide.
The Clune family — father Jarrod, 50, mum Maiwenna, 49, and their two sons, Leon, 16 and Otis, 14 — were found dead by WA Police after they were called to their Mott Close property in Mosman Park about 8.15am on Friday.
A person known to the family, believed to be a carer, found a note on the front door which warned them to not go inside and urged them to call police.
Both boys are believed to have been killed by their parents.
The family pets — two dogs and a cat — were also found dead inside the western suburbs property.
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It emerged on Saturday that a letter found inside the home may hold crucial answers for police working to ascertain exactly how the boys died.
The note reportedly discussed the mindset of the parents and indicated some planning behind the incident.
The Sunday Times has confirmed that the letter located inside the property is being carefully investigated by detectives.
It is understood they have not drawn any conclusions on what each parent’s role was in their children’s deaths before they are suspected of taking their own lives.
Police still believe their deaths were not violent and that no weapons were used.
Their bodies were not found in the same location in the house, according to Detective Inspector Jessica Securo, who addressed media just hours after police shut down the quiet street.
WA Police did not provide a public update on their investigation on Saturday, which is ongoing and will likely take time as officers await the result of autopsies.
As the unimaginable suspected murder of the two brothers is investigated by detectives, a family friend of Maiwenna and Jarrod, who wished to remain anonymous, painted a different picture of the couple.
“Mai and Jarrod were the most dedicated, devoted, loving, involved parents who always championed their beautiful boys,” they said.
“However, whenever and wherever they sought much-needed help for their very high, support-needs children they were consistently rejected by the very people and organisations whose job it is to support families like the Clunes.
“I hope this tragedy marks a turning point for the NDIS, health and education systems, disability organisations and societal attitudes so their deaths will not be in vain.”
Reports on Saturday night suggested one of the boys had recently had their NDIS funding cut.
On Saturday afternoon, more than 32 hours after police were confronted with the highly distressing scene, it was eerily calm outside the well-kept home.
Just a single bunch of flowers was placed on the street, a solemn tribute left by two neighbours clearly rattled by what had transpired metres away.
The street remained cordoned off to the public with police tape.
Drivers slowly passed the long line of tape to stare into the street, which remained filled with forensic officers and detectives in suits.
Yesterday, a message went out to light a candle for Leon and Otis, who police say had health challenges. Neighbours and social media profiles of their parents documented how both boys had been diagnosed with autism.
One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous and said he had seen the boys grow up, told The West they were both non-verbal.
Premier Roger Cook urged anyone struggling following the incident to seek help.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy that will ripple throughout the community and the entire State,” he said in a statement.
“That the lives of two innocent children have been taken is heartbreaking. I urge anyone who is struggling to seek help.
“I want to offer my deepest condolences to all those affected and thank the first responders who attended what would have been an incredibly confronting scene.”
Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association president Sarah Langston urged Australians impacted by the children’s deaths to pay their respects by lighting a candle at 5pm (Perth time) on Saturday, with many joining the association’s live-stream to reflect on what transpired.
“We are just inviting everyone, not just the disability community, to light a candle for the boys . . . to remember them, to centre them, their lives, their dignity and their rights as children,” she said.
“It’s been very distressing, these kinds of murders are too common and whenever they happen we see a lot of commentary which overemphasises that disabled children are a burden — but they’re not a burden, they’re precious.
“Whenever is a child is killed, it’s devastating. It really touches the whole community — we all care about children.”
Autism Association of WA chief executive Joan McKenna Kerr said the incident had brought a “deep sense of grief”.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of this devastating tragedy,” she said. “We mourn the lives of these two young people and their parents. Our hearts go out to all those who knew and loved.
“We recognise that for many autistic people and their families, this news does not just bring sadness, but a deep sense of grief.
“If any family, or someone you know, is having difficulty with the news of this unimaginable tragedy, we urge you to reach out for professional support.
“You can also reach out to one of our Autism Advisors who will assist you to make connection with the support you need on (08) 9489 8900.”
The suspected double murder-suicide in Mosman Park, Perth, on January 30, 2026, that ended the lives of Jarrod Clune (50), Maiwenna Goasdoue (49), and their sons Leon Clune (16) and Otis Clune (14), along with three family pets, has revealed yet another layer of quiet normalcy masking profound distress. A person who had contact with the boys just before the tragedy—likely a carer, teacher, or community member—described the week as entirely ordinary: “The kids seem normal that week.” There were no outward signs of distress, unusual behavior, or red flags in their interactions, routines, or demeanor.
However, police later discovered some items in their room that indicated plans had been made, shifting the narrative from sudden crisis to premeditated action and adding heartbreaking irony to the boys’ seemingly unchanged week.
The Week Before: A Facade of Normalcy
School records, newsletters, and accounts from those who knew Leon and Otis paint a picture of two boys who, despite their significant health challenges (understood to include severe autism requiring intensive, lifelong support), continued everyday activities. Leon attended Christ Church Grammar School’s Peter Moyes Centre for students with autism and learning needs, while both boys were remembered as cheerful, social, and engaged in school life when possible. Friends and carers noted their love for routines, friends, and simple joys—elements that persisted right up to the final days.
The contact person (details protected for privacy) who interacted with the boys in the days leading up to January 30 reported nothing alarming: no changes in mood, no withdrawal, no hints of fear or agitation. This aligns with earlier family phone calls described as filled with laughter and normal chatter just days prior. The household appeared to function as usual amid the quiet suburb of Mott Close—no arguments overheard, no visible turmoil.
Yet this “normal” week stands in stark contrast to the premeditation uncovered inside the home.
Items in the Room: Evidence of Preparation
During the forensic examination following the 8:15 a.m. discovery by a scheduled carer (who found the visible warning note and alerted police), investigators located additional items in the boys’ room—or rooms—that suggested advance planning. While specifics remain limited to protect the investigation, reports indicate these were not typical childhood belongings but objects or arrangements implying awareness, involvement, or preparation tied to the parents’ final decisions.
The items’ presence has been cited as contributing to the determination of premeditation, alongside the second hidden note (previously reported) that detailed rationale, financial instructions, and confirmation the parents acted together.
Police have not publicly confirmed if the items were notes, drawings, arranged belongings, or other indicators, but their discovery reframed the timeline: what appeared as a sudden overnight event now shows elements of forethought extending into the boys’ personal space.
This challenges early assumptions of purely parental desperation, prompting deeper questions about communication within the family, the boys’ understanding of their circumstances, and how much was shielded from outsiders.
The contrast is devastating: a week of apparent routine for the boys, yet signs in their own room pointing to an ending that had been contemplated.
The Broader Picture: Caregiver Strain and Systemic Gaps
Friends, carers, and anonymous sources have highlighted the family’s exhaustion from caring for two boys with high-support needs. Recent NDIS funding cuts reportedly left the parents feeling desperate and “failed” by the system—battles described as “exhausting, never-ending, and filled with rejection.” No prior family violence or external threats were reported, and the method (no weapon used) suggests a non-violent but irreversible choice born from perceived hopelessness.
Tributes from schools and the community emphasize the boys’ innocence and the parents’ fierce advocacy. Carer Maddie Page, who knew the family for over a decade, called for better NDIS support: “All they wanted was help.”
The unusual nighttime sound captured on CCTV (as previously noted) ~30 minutes before the estimated time, combined with these room items, underscores how the tragedy unfolded in near-silence—premeditated, private, and without immediate external alarm.
WA Police continue their investigation, with no further public risk. The community grapples with grief and calls for improved disability and mental health resources to prevent such isolation.
This latest revelation—the normal week juxtaposed against planned items in the boys’ room—serves as a poignant, tragic reminder: behind everyday appearances, profound suffering can remain hidden until it’s too late.
Support is available through Lifeline Australia (13 11 14) or similar services for those impacted by caregiving stress, disability challenges, or suicidal thoughts.
