Tragedy has struck in Sydney's inner west, where the bodies of a six-year-old girl and her father were recovered from the Parramatta River on Saturday. The investigation by New South Wales police suggests that this may be an instance of domestic violence, with the father possibly responsible for deliberately throwing his daughter into the water from a hired boat.
Superintendent Joe McNulty, marine area commander for NSW police, confirmed on Monday that a suicide note had been located, along with other evidence pointing towards the suspected murder-suicide. Initially, officers were called to Hen and Chicken Bay at Concord, in Sydney's inner west, around 11:45 am after reports of a man's body floating in the water.
A member of the public's boat was used to retrieve the 47-year-old father, but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. Reports that a young girl had also been present prompted an extensive search lasting several hours, with police utilising CCTV footage from a nearby home to assist divers in locating the girl's body.
The girl's mother, who was notified and present during the search, is receiving support from authorities. Superintendent Christine McDonald from Burwood police command stated on Saturday that the girl was the couple's only child, highlighting the profound impact this incident will have on the mother.
A friend of the deceased man contacted police approximately an hour after his body was found, expressing concerns for the welfare of the father and daughter. Despite the grave suspicions, police noted that the man was not known to them and had no recorded history of domestic violence, which is making the investigation particularly challenging.
Superintendent McNulty remarked that the circumstances immediately raised red flags, particularly the fact that lifejackets were onboard the boat but had not been used by either individual. The ongoing investigation aims to unravel the complex events leading to this tragedy and piece together the timeline and motivations behind what police believe to be a deliberate act.
The welfare of the affected mother remains a priority for the authorities as they continue their inquiries into the devastating incident, which has left the community in shock.