Mosman Park double murder-suicide: Horror as devastation hits Mott Close with family of four found dead
A foreboding note affixed to the front door of the smart Mosman Park home warned visitors not to enter, but to call the police.
When officers did go inside, their worst fears were realised — all four members of the beautiful Clune family were dead, along with their pets, their bodies located in different parts of the house.
The quiet cul-de-sac of Mott Close soon became a hive of police activity with investigations quickly centering on a suspected murder suicide.
Homicide Squad Detectives are trying to find out the source of anguish beneath the extreme actions.
The Clune family — dad Jarrod, 50, mum Maiwenna, 49, and their two sons, Leon, 16 and Otis, 14 — was evidently much loved. They have hundreds of friends on Facebook.
And both parents’ social media posts showed their boys were very much the centre of their worlds. But they were reportedly struggling to cope.
Both teenagers were autistic and according to police had “significant health challenges”.
The person who found the note was attending the home for a pre-arranged appointment with them. They alerted police at about 8.15am.
Police entered the house first and discovered the bodies.
Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo said the scene was “highly distressing” for all involved.
“The officers are understandably in shock after being confronted with such an incident like this,” she said.
“It’s not often that our officers come across such a tragic event with this many persons deceased.
“There was no weapon used during this incident, and the family have no reported family violence matters with police.
“This tragic incident occurred only this morning, and it will take time for police to investigate the full circumstances surrounding this incident.”
Homicide Squad Detectives were trying to ascertain whether the children were killed before the parents took their own lives.
The deaths of the family’s two dogs and one cat also appear to have been non-violent.
Neighbours said they were used to seeing carers visit the family’s home.
Henry Oloworaran, who lives less than 100 metres away, said he saw them come and go.
He called on authorities to investigate whether the family received adequate support.
“If people are driven to kill themselves, then something is missing,” he said.
At least one of the boys attended the Peter Moyes Centre at Christ Church Grammar School, one of Perth’s top private boys’ schools.
Principal Alan Jones sent an email to all parents on Friday afternoon, acknowledging the tragedy.
“Dear Christ Church Grammar School community, you may be aware of the tragic incident that occurred this morning in Mosman Park,” he wrote.
“Out of respect for the families and to allow the police investigation to take its course, we will not be releasing a statement at this point in time.
“Thank you for your understanding. Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends.”
The Peter Moyes Centre provides “a secure and caring learning environment for boys with a range of learning challenges”.
Ms Clune, who was born in France and known to friends as “Mai”, was among a group of parents who appeared in The West in 2015 calling for an East Fremantle clinic, which provided intensive therapy services to autistic kids, to receive funding support so that it could remain open.
Photos posted by their parents on Facebook, when the boys were younger, show them growing up in a loving environment, enjoying activities typical of most Perth families — birthday parties, fun at the beach and backyard swimming pool high-jinks.
Mr Oloworaran described the suburb as the “friendliest” in Perth and “neighbours help each other out”.
Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, told The West the brothers were both “non-verbal”.
“They loved being in the (swimming) pool, there’s no doubt about that,” they said.
A person who knew the family, posted: “We both shared a bond of having children with severe disabilities. There was a lot going on in their lives. They were a loving family.”
The family had lived at the property for almost 10 years.
Members of the public were urged to stay away from the area as police activity ramped up during the day and several local roads were closed.
St John WA said five ambulance crews were called to the scene at 8.29am. It’s understood paramedics were not required to treat anyone.
Police Minister Reece Whitby described the incident as “devastating and tragic”.
“My thoughts are with the families, loved ones and communities affected,” he said.
“I thank WA Police, paramedics and all first responders for their actions in dealing with what are extremely confronting circumstances, and I also want to acknowledge the person who attended the home and alerted police.”
Local Federal MP Kate Chaney said: “This heartbreaking loss of four lives will have lasting effects throughout our community. I hope the police investigation will provide more information soon about the circumstances that led to this tragic event.
“I encourage everyone impacted by this news to hug their loved ones and if needed, reach out to services for support.”
Det-Insp Securo said WA Police deployed health and welfare resources and the police chaplain to provide support to those officers involved.
“If this incident has adversely affected or impacted you, there are support services available which are there to help you so please do reach out,” she said.
Lifeline WA Chief Executive Officer, Lorna MacGregor, said the news would be confronting for many people across WA.
“This is an incredibly sad and shocking situation, and events like this can have a profound emotional impact well beyond those who knew the family personally,” Ms MacGregor said.
“For some people, this news will bring up strong feelings of distress, grief, fear or overwhelm. Others may be reminded of their own experiences or current challenges.”
Ms MacGregor said it was important for people to know they do not have to carry these feelings alone.
“If you are feeling distressed, struggling to cope, or worried about yourself or someone else, Lifeline WA is here to support you,” she said. “You do not need to be in immediate crisis to reach out,” she said.
“If this tragedy has affected you, or left you feeling overwhelmed, please contact Lifeline.”
“She couldn’t calm down,” a support staff member said. Their last exchange with the mother lasted only two minutes, but something was wrong — and a message sent afterward was recorded as evidence in the Mosman Park incident, although its contents remain sealed…
The suspected double murder-suicide in Mosman Park, Perth, on January 30, 2026, continues to reveal layers of hidden distress in the final hours before the deaths of Jarrod Clune (50), Maiwenna Goasdoue (49), and their sons Leon (16) and Otis (14), along with three family pets. A support staff member who interacted with the family—likely a carer providing services for the boys’ significant health challenges (including severe autism)—shared a poignant account: “She couldn’t calm down.” This referred to Maiwenna Goasdoue during their last exchange, which lasted only two minutes but carried unmistakable signs that something was profoundly wrong.
The brief interaction, occurring shortly before the tragedy unfolded overnight, left the support worker unsettled. Although details of the conversation remain limited, the mother’s demeanor stood out as agitated or emotionally overwhelmed—contrasting sharply with the family’s outward normalcy in prior days and weeks.
Critically, a message sent afterward (likely a text, email, or written note from Maiwenna or related to the exchange) was recorded as evidence by police. Its contents remain sealed to protect the ongoing investigation, but sources indicate it has become a key piece in piecing together the timeline and mindset in the lead-up to the discovery at 8:15 a.m. on January 30. The message may contain expressions of despair, final instructions, or indicators of the premeditation suggested by other findings (e.g., the hidden second note detailing rationale and financial wishes).
The Final Contact: A Window into Desperation
Support workers like this one often served as lifelines for families navigating intensive caregiving demands. The carer who discovered the visible warning note (“don’t enter, call police”) was arriving for a scheduled visit, underscoring the family’s reliance on external help amid NDIS-related struggles. Former carers, including Maddie Page (who supported the boys for over a decade), have publicly stated the family felt “failed” by the NDIS—citing funding cuts, denied respite, and overwhelming isolation that left parents exhausted and unsupported.
In this context, the two-minute exchange gains tragic weight:
The mother’s inability to “calm down” may reflect acute emotional decompensation—perhaps triggered by recent rejections, mounting fatigue, or a breaking point in private despair.
The brevity of the interaction (possibly a quick check-in call, drop-off, or handover) limited opportunities for deeper intervention.
The subsequent message, now evidentiary, could reveal last-minute reflections, pleas, or confirmations that align with the premeditated elements uncovered (e.g., items in the boys’ room indicating planning, the hidden note’s content, and the absence of violent weapons).
This moment stands in contrast to earlier accounts: the boys appeared “normal that week” to contacts, family phone calls featured laughter days prior, and no overt distress was reported externally. Yet these glimpses—the agitation in a short call, the sealed message—suggest an internal crisis accelerating rapidly.
Investigation Updates and Systemic Questions
Western Australia Police continue treating the incident as a double murder-suicide, with no weapons involved and no prior family violence reported. Key evidence includes:
The visible note alerting the carer.
The second hidden note outlining plans and reasons.
CCTV-captured unusual sound ~30 minutes before estimated time.
Items in the boys’ room suggesting advance preparation.
Autopsies and forensics are ongoing to confirm causes of death (believed non-violent, possibly involving substances or other means). The sealed message’s role in timeline reconstruction—particularly the final hours—has intensified scrutiny of caregiver burnout, NDIS access barriers, and mental health support for high-needs families.
Tributes continue for Leon and Otis, remembered as joyful despite challenges. Carers and friends describe devoted parents who advocated tirelessly but felt abandoned by systems. Premier Roger Cook called it “heartbreaking,” echoing calls for reform.
The support worker’s recollection of Maiwenna’s distress in those final two minutes—and the message that followed—serves as a somber reminder: cries for help can be subtle, fleeting, and easily missed until it’s too late.
Anyone struggling with caregiving stress, disability challenges, or suicidal thoughts is urged to contact Lifeline Australia (13 11 14) or similar services.
