Blue Mountains stabbing: Twist after child dies in suspected murder suicide in Blue Mountains

Trigger warning: This article contains descriptions of domestic violence

A mother remains in critical condition after what police suspect was an attempted murder suicide involving her three children.

A cyclist was the first person to come across what NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna described as a “barbaric” scene inside a car parked on the side of Waratah Rd at Valley Heights in the Blue Mountains about 1pm on Sunday.

The passer-by attempted to save the lives of children, who had all been stabbed inside the car — but only two of the three children, all aged under five, survived.

They remain in a critical condition after suffering life-threatening neck wounds.

The mother in her 40s was also found fighting for life.

“We will allege her condition is the result of self-inflicted wounds, so we have to wait for the medical side of things to play out,” McKenna said on Monday.

If she survives the injury, he said: “Detectives will look to speak with her with the intent of charging her with homicide.”

Police have contacted the woman’s husband, who is now in hospital with his two surviving kids, and helping police with their investigation.

‘Can’t remember a weekend like this in my career’

The suspected murder suicide was one of four horrific incidents to take place across the state over the weekend.

“I can’t remember a weekend like this in my career,” McKenna said.

“It is really overwhelming.”

Police allege domestic and family violence was behind three deaths on Saturday — 90-year-old grandmother, Valentina Spivak was stabbed 19 times in Bondi Beach unit, a 23-year-old woman was stabbed in Wagga Wagga, and a 70-year-old woman was found dead in a fire-damaged home in Mole River.

“All four scenes were horrific,” McKenna said.

He said the nature of the deaths has been extremely confronting for all who came into contact with the crime scenes.

“When you’re using knives, or edged weapons ... it’s actually quite barbaric,” McKenna said.

“People cut people, it’s actually very confronting.

“Whenever there is children, is doesn’t get worse than that.”

‘Beyond our control’

McKenna said that police can only do so much about domestic and family violence, with prevention a societal issue that requires a wide range of sectors to take responsibility for the role they have to play.

“There are incidents that are going to be beyond our control at times,” McKenna said.

“Often we’re the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.

“It’s a whole of society issue, it is an issue that everyone needs to speak up about, that government needs to make sure they’re throwing every resource at.

“It’s about health, it’s about education, it’s about the judicial system, it’s about everything working together in the right way.

“It’s the role modelling, it’s the expectations, its what we see as acceptable behaviours.

“Mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, intergenerational trauma, lack of education and health services, they all contribute to domestic and family violence.”

McKenna said it takes the average victim-survivor about 26 times being involved in domestic violence incidents before they feel confident enough to come forward to police.

“In the NSW Police Force it’s our number one priority. Yes we have gangland shootings .. and we throw lots of resources at that … but domestic violence is the number one thing, we’re talking about it every morning at police stations.”

Read more about McKenna’s call for action to prevent domestic and family violence here.

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 131114. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call triple-0.