Disability Discrimination Commissioner calls for inquest after suspected double murder-suicide

Calls for a coronial inquest into the suspected double-murder suicide in Perth are ramping up, with the Disability Discrimination Commissioner stating there is “never a justification for family violence or murder”.

The bodies of Maiwenna Goasdowe, 49, Jarrod Clune, 50, and their teenage sons Leon, 16, and Otis, 14, were found at their Mott Close home in Mosman Park last Friday morning.

A person who provided care services for the teenage boys, who are understood to have autism, alerted police about 8am.

Police found the bodies in different parts of the home, as well as a note, describing the deaths as a “devastating tragedy”.

Three pets — two dogs and a cat — were also found dead at the property.

A week on from the tragedy, and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess says they are heartbroken by the deaths.

“While we don’t yet know all the details, it’s important that the gravity of this situation is not diminished by the fact that the two teenagers were autistic and required support,” she said.

“There is never a justification for family violence or murder.”

“We must reject the idea that disability is a burden — every child has the right to life, safety and support, and families should have access to help well before crisis.”

Without meaningful action, “tragedies like this will continue”, Mrs Kayess said

“A coronial inquest is urgently needed to ensure strong investigative powers to respond to this tragedy and to identify the underlying and systemic issues that led to the parents’ actions, and to provide a sense of justice for Otis and Leon,” Mrs Kayess said.

It is understood a note found on the front door contained instructions to call police, and a letter found inside reportedly had details on how the family wanted their finances to be arranged after their deaths.

WA Police confirmed the family had no prior reported domestic violence issues and no weapon was used.

Both teenagers had pre-existing medical conditions, but police did not explain further.

Ms Goasdowe – who was known as Mai – was born in Morlaix, a small town in France with just over 15,000 residents.

She was part of several online support groups and described her sons as being at the higher end of the autism spectrum.

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