“It was a struggle they could never overcome…” — Police name the four members of the family who died in horror Mosman Park home tragedy as devastated relatives reveal harrowing details that may explain the unthinkable double murder-suicide
In one of Perth’s most exclusive and affluent suburbs, a scene of unimaginable devastation has shattered the community and left Australia in shock.
Police have officially named the four family members found dead in their luxurious Mosman Park home as Maiwenna “Mai” Goasdoue, 49, her partner Jarrod Clune, 50, and their teenage sons Leon Clune, 16, and Otis Clune, 14.
The bodies were discovered on Friday morning in what authorities believe was a suspected double murder-suicide — a heartbreaking case where the parents allegedly took the lives of their severely autistic, non-verbal boys before ending their own.
Two beloved family dogs and a cat were also found dead, underscoring the utter despair that engulfed the household.
“It was a struggle they could never overcome…” one close relative told reporters, tears streaming. “They fought every single day, but the weight became too much.”
abc.net.au
What we know about the suspected murder-suicide of a Perth family …
Police tape surrounds the quiet Mott Close property in upscale Mosman Park where the tragedy unfolded — a peaceful street now forever changed.
A carer who arrived for a scheduled visit around 8.15am raised the alarm after spotting a chilling note on the door: “Do not enter. Call the police.” Inside, officers found the family in two separate areas of the house, along with another note believed to outline their final plans.
No weapon was used, and there is no known history of family violence, police confirmed.
The devoted parents who lived for their boys
French-born Maiwenna, known affectionately as Mai, had openly shared her life as a mother to two sons on the higher end of the severe autism spectrum. In online support groups, she described Leon and Otis as “very different” but both requiring intensive, round-the-clock care.
“My two boys have that very severe level of autism,” she wrote in one Facebook post, highlighting the daily realities of non-verbal communication, complex behaviors, and relentless sleepless nights.
Jarrod, from a well-connected Perth family and a former student of elite Christ Church Grammar School, had deep roots in the area. The boys were understood to have attended the same prestigious school, with Otis farewelled in 2023 after showing enthusiasm in group activities and using devices to communicate.
ccgs.wa.edu.au
Chapel-50-Years-(homepage) – CCGS Christ Church Grammar School
Christ Church Grammar School — where the boys were once students — stands as a symbol of the family’s hopes for inclusion and education.
“It was incredibly hard to find anyone who could look after the boys, especially one of them with the level of support he needed,” close friend and fellow mum Nedra told Daily Mail Australia, her voice breaking.
“Mai and Jarrod were the most devoted, loving, protective parents. Their whole lives revolved around their beautiful boys.”
Yet behind the facade of a perfect family in a multimillion-dollar home, the pressure was crushing. Relatives and friends reveal the couple felt increasingly isolated, battling to secure reliable, high-level care amid endless rejections and bureaucratic hurdles.
One carer described the family as “in the trenches”, fighting for every hour of support. Reports suggest recent changes to funding left them terrified of losing vital help.
A community in mourning — and outrage
Neighbors were left reeling. One distraught local, wiping away tears, recalled Jarrod as “the lawnmower man around here” — a familiar, friendly face who moved into the family home after his parents relocated.
“I knew one of the boys had a problem,” she said. “I don’t know about the other.”
Local children who knew Leon at school called the news “really sad” and shocking.
A vigil has since been held in Gibbon Park, with flowers, candles, and tributes piling up as the Mosman Park community grieves.
thewest.com.au
Mosman Park: Community members gather at Gibbon Park after double …
Community members gather at Gibbon Park for a heartbreaking vigil, laying flowers and sharing memories of Leon and Otis.
Calls for answers — and a coronial inquest
The tragedy has ignited fierce debate about support for families with high-needs disabilities. The Australian Human Rights Commission has called for an urgent coronial inquest to examine systemic failures, with Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess stressing: “There is never a justification for family violence or murder.”
“The fact that the children may have been autistic and required supports should not be the basis for any justification of their murder,” she warned, condemning any narrative that seeks to excuse the act.
Experts and advocates insist the burden of care must never justify harm, even as they acknowledge the real, crushing strain many families face.
For now, the question haunts Perth and beyond: What hidden struggles pushed this devoted family to such a devastating end?
“They were under immense pressure,” Nedra said simply. “They struggled to find reliable care… and it was a struggle they could never overcome.”
As grief counseling resources are shared and mental health advocates step forward, one thing is clear: this tragedy has exposed deep cracks that demand urgent attention — before another family is lost.
