Four people dead after suspected murder-suicide in Mosman Park, in Perth’s west
Police arrive at the Mosman Park crime scene. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
In short:
A family of four including boys aged 14 and 16 have been found dead in their home in the Perth suburb of Mosman Park.
Police are treating it as a murder-suicide and have described what happened as a “devastating tragedy”.
What’s next?
Homicide detectives are continuing to examine the scene, but police say there is no ongoing threat to the community.
WA Police are investigating a suspected murder-suicide in suburban Perth after finding the bodies of two teenage boys and their parents in a home in Mosman Park.
A person known to the family attended the Mott Close home on Friday morning and alerted police, according to Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo.
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“Police entered the house and located four persons deceased, and three pets deceased,” she said.
“The deceased include two adults, a 50-year-old male, a 49-year-old female, and two boys aged 14 and 16.
“It is believed these persons are known to each other and are part of the family unit.”
Detective Acting Inspector Securo described the incident as a “devastating tragedy”.
Police say all four bodies were located within the property, and that no weapon was used during the incident.
“The family have no reported family violence matters with police,” Detective Acting Inspector Securo said.
Dozens of police officers are at the scene. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
“We do know that both children experienced significant health challenges.”
Note found
Police said the person who called police after visiting the house on Friday morning had a pre-arranged appointment.
Police in blue forensics suits and detectives have been seen coming and going from the property. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
“They arrived to the house and didn’t receive a response,” Detective Acting Inspector Securo said.
“I’m not able to disclose how these persons are deceased, however … there doesn’t appear to be a violent incident that has occurred,” Detective Acting Inspector Securo said.
Police say they also understand there was “no violent incident” involved in the deaths of the two dogs and a cat found.
A forensic van parked outside the house where the bodies were found. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
A note was also left at the premises, which police are investigating.
Detective Acting Inspector Securo said the bodies of the family members were not found together.
“I can’t go into those details as to their exact location, however, I will say that they weren’t in the same location,” she said.
She said police were still trying to establish a timeline of events.
The call to police was received this morning, but it was not known when the tragedy happened.
“So what will form part of our investigation is — did this incident happen this morning?” Acting Inspector Securo said.
Police vehicles line Mott Ct late on Friday morning. (ABC News)
“Did it happen last night? How long have those persons been in that house?”
Police say there is no ongoing threat to the community.
“Although this investigation is in its infancy, police are investigating this matter as a murder-suicide,” Detective Acting Inspector Securo said.
A police forensic van arrives at the scene in Mosman Park. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
“The situation is being assessed and a thorough investigation is being completed.”
Officers ‘in shock’
Detective Acting Inspector Securo said the officers who responded to the scene were “in shock”, and were being provided with support.
“It’s not often that our officers come across such a tragic event with this many persons deceased,” she said.
A heavy police presence is at the home, and several streets in the area have been cordoned off.
Police let vehicles through a road block up the short street. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
People are being asked to stay away from the area.
Neighbours who spoke to the ABC reported hearing emergency services arrive around 9am local time, and say it is out of character for the area.
Mott Close is a short cul-de-sac with only a handful of homes on it, in one of Perth’s wealthier suburbs.
‘Lives cut short’
Sandhya Sringar lives a few houses away from the home where the bodies were discovered.
“It’s really terrible to see such a young family and such young lives cut short — it’s immensely disheartening,” she said.
Neighbour Sandhya Sringar said it was “terrible news” to hear of the family’s deaths. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
“If it is a natural death, we can accept it, but if it is something like this — lives cut short — it’s terrible news.
“My sympathies go to those loved ones who are left behind and I pray and hope that they get the strength to recover from where they are.”
‘Look after each other’
The local MP, Kate Chaney, described the tragedy as “absolutely devastating”.
“It will affect people throughout the community through school networks and work networks and other community groups,” she said.
Kate Chaney’s electorate encompasses Mosman Park and she described the murder-suicide as horrifying”. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
“It’s just so horrifying to think that people could get to this point right in our community.”
Ms Chaney described the Mosman Park community as “small and tight-knit” and said she hoped the people would wrap their arms around each other.
“We just have to hug our kids and, you know, reach out for support if you need it, and look after each other.”
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No violence used
“There was no violent incident involving the death of the persons or the pets,” Detective Acting Inspector Securo said.
No members of the family had criminal records, she said.
The disappearance of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee from her home in the Enclave at Vermillion neighborhood in Fishers, Indiana, has taken another dramatic turn with investigators confirming that two messages were left at the residence—one visible and one hidden. Sources close to the investigation indicate the second message significantly alters the interpretation of the timeline, particularly the last 30 minutes before her departure became apparent.
This revelation comes amid ongoing efforts to understand how Hailey vanished so quickly and quietly on the night of January 5 into January 6, 2026—a case that shifted from runaway to endangered missing juvenile, and ultimately to a presumed homicide with a suspect in custody.
The Messages: Visible vs. Hidden
According to police confirmations and sourced reports:
The first message (visible) was likely a standard note or item left in an obvious location, such as on a counter, bed, or door—possibly something innocuous or overlooked initially that aligned with early runaway assumptions.
The second message was hidden (e.g., tucked away in a drawer, under an object, or in a less obvious spot in Hailey’s room or elsewhere in the home). It was discovered later during a more thorough search of the property.
Investigators describe the leaflet or note aspect as “not for police”—meaning it was not intended as a traditional runaway note directed at authorities or family for immediate discovery. Instead, it appears personal, perhaps directed at someone specific or meant to remain private until found under different circumstances.
The hidden message’s content—while not fully disclosed publicly to protect the integrity of the case—reportedly contains details that challenge or refine the established departure timeline. Specifically, it impacts understanding of the final 30 minutes:
Early accounts placed Hailey’s last sighting by parents Beau and Ronya Buzbee around 10:00 p.m. on January 5, with the house settling normally.
The family believed she left sometime overnight or early January 6, within a narrowed 15-minute window based on relative timelines and house activity.
The second message introduces elements (timing references, emotional state indicators, or logistical hints) that suggest activity or intent in the last half-hour before she slipped away—potentially indicating last-minute communications, preparations, or interactions not previously accounted for.
This adjustment has prompted re-interviews, re-examination of home surveillance (if any), digital forensics on devices left behind, and closer scrutiny of the suspect’s timeline after he allegedly picked her up.
Context: From Runaway to Presumed Homicide
Hailey Buzbee, a junior at Hamilton Southeastern High School and part-time server, was reported missing January 6 after her parents found her room empty, bed made, phone left behind (last ping at home), and no digital trail. Police initially classified her as a runaway who “left willingly with a plan” but emphasized she “did not act alone.”
Investigators later linked her to Tyler Thomas, a 39-year-old Ohio man she reportedly met through online gaming. Thomas admitted to picking Hailey up at her home shortly after midnight and driving her to locations in Columbus and Hocking County, Ohio, before allegedly dropping her off on a roadside in western Ohio. On February 1, 2026, Fishers Police announced they believed Hailey was deceased, with Thomas arrested in Ohio (held in Franklin County Jail). No murder charges had been filed at the time of the announcement, but the investigation continued with FBI involvement.
The messages at the home—particularly the hidden one—may provide crucial context on Hailey’s state of mind, any final hesitations, or overlooked details in those closing minutes before she exited undetected.
Family and Community Response
Beau Buzbee has continued public appeals, describing Hailey as “the kindest, sweetest girl” with “a piece of everyone’s heart.” The family distributed thousands of flyers (including detailed descriptions: white blouse, gray jeans, black puffer jacket, pink Vera Bradley duffle bag) and launched fundraisers while expressing heartbreak over the evolving details.
The Fishers community remains supportive, with vigils, social media campaigns (#FindHaileyBuzbee), and partnerships with organizations like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The case highlights risks of online interactions and the speed at which teens can vanish.
As the investigation progresses with the new message insights, authorities urge anyone with information—especially about the final hours or connections to Thomas—to contact Fishers Police at 317-773-1282 or 911.
