Mosman Park Family Deaths Spark Disability Support Debate
Police are investigating the deaths of a family of four—two parents and their two teenage sons, who lived with disabilities—in what is believed to be a murder-suicide in Mosman Park, Perth, Western Australia. The incident has led to renewed discussions and advocacy regarding the adequacy of disability support services and funding, with calls for a coronial inquest into the family's deaths.
Incident Details and Investigation
On Friday morning, January 30, emergency services were alerted to a residence on Mott Close in Mosman Park. This occurred after a person known to the family visited for a pre-arranged appointment and did not receive a response, or after a care worker discovered a note instructing to contact emergency services. Upon entering the home, authorities found four deceased individuals and three deceased pets.
The deceased were identified as Jarrod Clune, 50, Maiwenna Goasdoue, 49, and their sons, Leon Clune, 16, and Otis Clune, 14. Two dogs and one cat were also found deceased at the property. Police are investigating the incident as a suspected murder-suicide.
Authorities reported that no weapon was used, and there was no apparent violent incident involved in the deaths. A note was found at the scene, and a second note recovered the following day reportedly supported the conclusion that the deaths resulted from a murder-suicide pact initiated by the parents.
The bodies were located in different areas within the property. The family had no prior reported family violence matters with police. The exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed, and the timeline of events leading to the deaths remains under investigation. Police have stated there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
A significant police presence, including dozens of officers, detectives, and forensic personnel, was deployed to the scene, with several surrounding streets cordoned off. Support services are being provided to the responding officers.
The Deceased Family
Leon and Otis Clune lived with disabilities, which included severe autism and significant health challenges; Otis was reportedly non-verbal. Maiwenna Goasdoue had previously advocated for autism awareness on social media.
Friends described the parents as devoted to their sons and pursuing all available support. However, they also stated that the parents felt "isolated, unsupported and abandoned" and that their situation was a "losing battle" against systemic issues. One family friend suggested that a lack of support, chronic sleep deprivation, and challenges associated with the boys' behaviors may have contributed to the parents feeling they had no other option.
The boys had attended the Peter Moyes Centre at Christ Church Grammar, a private boys' school which provides support for learning needs, and were attending a special needs school at the time of their deaths. An educator who taught one of the boys characterized them as "kind-hearted" individuals.
It was also claimed that Otis had been expelled from a school two years prior after an incident, and his mother was reportedly told he was a "monster." The family had reportedly lost government funding support for one of the children.
Advocacy for Disability Support Systems
The deaths have prompted renewed calls for improved support systems for families caring for children with high needs.
Jo Russell, a mother from regional Western Australia caring for children with Asperger's syndrome, profound autism, and epilepsy, shared her experiences. She recounted a period where she contemplated suicide due to isolation and the demands of advocacy. Ms. Russell described a low point during the 2020 pandemic when she temporarily left her daughter at Kalgoorlie Hospital's emergency department, seeking essential help after aggressive outbursts.
Ms. Russell criticized National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) reforms as a "multi-system failure" due to complexity, navigation difficulties, and challenges in securing skilled staff, urging parents to share their stories.
Mary Butterworth, CEO of Developmental Disability WA, called for increased support for families, pointing to deficiencies in Western Australia's support services, including a lack of trained support workers and insufficient funding for training. Autism mentor Maddie Page asserted that the family had been "failed" by the NDIS and made to feel they had no alternative. Comments on a social media post by WA's Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley also reflected frustration among parents of children with disabilities regarding perceived unavailability of support, delays, and funding issues.
Official Responses and Calls for Inquest
Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess expressed sorrow over the deaths and concern regarding public narratives that focus on disability as a "burden," describing this as a "dangerous narrative."
Commissioner Kayess emphasized that disability is not a burden, every child deserves life, safety, and support, and families should receive help before reaching a crisis point.
She advocated for a public coronial inquest into the family's deaths, hoping it would lead to the implementation of more recommendations from the 2023 disability royal commission. Skye Kakoschke-Moore, CEO of Children and Young People with Disability Australia, reiterated that children with disabilities are not a burden and stressed the importance of reporting their deaths with dignity.
State MP for Mosman Park, Sandra Brewer, also called for the government to order a state coroner's inquest to provide answers and recommendations. Premier Roger Cook stated that the decision for an inquest rests with the coroner and urged patience during the police investigation, acknowledging public speculation regarding NDIS and schooling support. Education Minister Sabine Winton recognized the challenges faced by parents of children with disabilities and mentioned ongoing efforts to enhance treatment in public schools.
Federal Disability Minister Mark Butler confirmed the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is cooperating with police inquiries, describing the loss of the children's lives as an "unspeakable tragedy" and assuring full NDIA assistance to the investigation. WA's Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley expressed devastation over the tragedy, stating "help is available" and later met with the disability community, hearing diverse views and reiterating the value and contribution of people with disability in WA.
Community Response
A memorial service for the Clune family was held in Gibbon Park, Mosman Park, attended by approximately 30 people, including local officials such as Member for Cottesloe Sandra Brewer and Mosman Park Mayor Paul Shaw. The event, organized by the Mosman Park Sisterhood, aimed to provide a space for community grieving and connection. Local neighbors reported the arrival of emergency services around 9 AM local time, noting that such events are atypical for the affluent suburb of Mosman Park.