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Mystery surrounds the reasons behind the killing of all members of a family whose children went to a Catholic school in rural New South Wales.
The bodies of Kim Hunt, 41, and her three children Fletcher, 10, Mia, 8 and Phoebe 6, were found on the family’s property near Lockhart on Tuesday.
The next day the body of her husband Geoff Hunt was discovered in a local pond, with a gun nearby and his ute parked next to the water.
A suicide note was apparently left, but it did not offer any reasons for the killings. Police are not looking for anyone else.
The family celebrated a relative’s birthday on Saturday and went to a local football game on Sunday, before the children were dropped at St Joseph’s school in Lockhart for the last time on Monday.
Kim Hunt, a much loved nurse, was found dead on a path behind her house, not far from the washing line, which on Wednesday still had the family’s clothes pegged to it.
Her children were found a few metres away inside their home.
A family friend said Geoff Hunt, who was a grain farmer, had been a pillar of support for his wife as she recovered from serious injuries when her car flipped twice in a 2012 accident.
Kim Hunt was left with a broken neck, seven weeks of post-traumatic amnesia and a brain injury.
She returned to nursing at a local hospital in April.
Superintendent Noble said the small community of Lockhart was suffering badly after the shock killings, as were the students at St Joseph’s where counselling has been offered.
“There are little hearts breaking all over the place,” he said.
St Joseph’s, which has only 73 students, issued a statement expressing deep sadness and saying everyone was praying for the Hunt family.
Parish priest Fr Tony Shipp led a service and the parish church was left open to parents and members of the community.
St Joseph’s Primary School will hold a liturgy tomorrow for Fletcher, Mia and Phoebe, and next week a special Mass will be celebrated.
Superintendent Noble could not say what may have caused the killings.
“No doubt life on the land is very difficult. In certain parts of the country at present, it’s very hard on people.”
But he said the Hunt family appeared well integrated into the community through sports and social events, and were well loved.
“These things don’t make sense in the world and sometimes trying to make sense of them is futile,” he said.
Sources
HELPLINES
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 – Provides 24 hour telephone counselling
Youthline: 0800 376 633 or free text 234 – Provides 24 hour telephone and text counselling services for young people
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 – Provides 24 hour telephone counselling.
Tautoko: 0508 828 865 – provides support, information and resources to people at risk of suicide, and their family, whānau and friends.
Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (noon to midnight)
Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (4pm – 6pm weekdays)
If it is an emergency or you feel you or someone you know is at risk, please call 111
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News category: World.
