In the manicured, tree-lined streets of Mosman Park, one of Perth’s most exclusive enclaves, the silence is usually indicative of peace and privacy. However, that silence was irrevocably shattered this past Friday, revealing a heartbreaking narrative of isolation and desperation that stands in stark contrast to the affluent surroundings. As the community reels from the discovery of a family of four found deceased within their home, new forensic details and emotional tributes are painting a complex picture of a system that may have tragically failed those it was designed to protect.
The discovery began with a chillingly considerate act. A support worker, arriving for a routine shift to care for the couple’s two teenage sons, was stopped at the threshold by a note. The message was clear and protective: do not enter, call the authorities. This final gesture spared the carer from witnessing the immediate aftermath inside, where Maiwenna Goasdoue, her partner Jarrod Clune, and their sons, Leon and Otis, were found.
While initial police reports suggested a non-violent scene with no weapons involved, aerial imagery has since introduced a jarring, unexplained element to the investigation. Distinct, deep red anomalies—appearing to be stains—were visible in the rear courtyard of the property, mere meters from where domestic life seemingly continued with laundry drying on a rack. Authorities have remained tight-lipped regarding this specific detail, declining to comment while the forensic examination is in its infancy. This discrepancy between the reported lack of violence and the visible forensic markers has added a layer of unease to an already devastating situation.
However, the true tragedy appears to lie not in the forensic details, but in the backstory of a family pushed to the brink. Both sons, aged 16 and 14, lived with severe, non-verbal autism. Friends and fellow advocates have come forward to describe Maiwenna and Jarrod not as villains, but as deeply devoted parents who were exhausted by a “losing battle” against bureaucracy. Tributes pouring in have levied heavy criticism against the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), suggesting that the family felt abandoned by the very safety nets intended to support them.
Close acquaintances described a life of chronic sleep deprivation and increasing isolation. The couple reportedly struggled to find reliable respite care, fearing for their sons’ safety and well-being in the hands of others. One friend noted that despite their efforts to “move stones” to secure a future for the boys, the lack of community and institutional support left them feeling there was no other option. A letter found at the scene reportedly outlined their final wishes and financial arrangements, pointing toward a calculated, joint decision rather than a spur-of-the-moment act of volatility.
As floral tributes accumulate on the corner of the quiet cul-de-sac, the focus shifts from the immediate horror of the event to the broader, uncomfortable questions it raises. This tragedy serves as a somber indictment of the pressures placed on caregivers and the profound isolation that can exist even in the most crowded of cities. It is a stark reminder that without adequate support, the weight of care can become an unbearable burden.