A family in Australia was found dead in a devastating murder-suicide that involved both parents and their teenage sons. Both of their sons had a series of disabilities, which likely included autism. Currently, their manner of deaths are being investigated. Those close to the family say that the parents, Maiwenna Goasdowe and Jarrod Clune, felt overwhelmed by the amount of resources it took to care for their two sons. They also claimed the family felt isolated because of the severity of the boys’ challenges. Their deaths highlight an important conversation about caregiver burnout and distribution of resources.
Around 8:15 a.m. on January 30, 2026, someone known to the family arrived at their home in Mosman Park, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia Police noted in a release. It’s that person who called authorities.
Police entered the home and found a shocking scene. Inside, they found Clune and Goasdowe, as well as their 14- and 16-year-old sons, dead. The bodies of a cat and two dogs also were found.
Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the deaths as a murder-suicide, they said. “This is a tragic and devastating incident where a family has lost their lives, and the impact will be felt by the entire community,” Western Australia Police Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo shared in the release.
Securo said during a news conference that no weapon was used in the killings, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. “I can’t go into those details as to their exact location, however, I will say that they weren’t in the same location,” she noted.
“The family have no reported family violence matters with police,” she added, per the outlet. “We do know that both children experienced significant health challenges” but didn’t elaborate further at the time.
The person who called the police had an appointment with the family. A note was found in the home when police went inside. According to People, the note said, “Don’t enter,” with instructions to call for emergency services.
A second note found in the home may have offered more insight into the motivation for the murder-suicide. The note outlined plans for the family’s finances and implied the parents jointly came to the decision to end their lives.
A neighbor who didn’t want to be named spoke with The Guardian, telling the outlet that he often saw support services going into the home. “It is a very, very sad thing, but in this case, you know the two teenagers there were non-verbal,” he said.
Neighbor Henry Oroworaran also recalled seeing support workers constantly at the home. One of those support workers, Maddie Page, who has known the family for over 10 years, spoke with The West Australian about the deaths, saying the system had failed the family.
She placed the blame specifically on the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It is believed that the family may have had their NDIS funding cut.
“I witnessed firsthand the immense love within their family, as well as the courage and resilience they showed during times of extreme difficulty and countless obstacles,” she said. “My heart feels unbearably heavy knowing that the NDIS system failed them, and that they were made to feel they had no other choice.”
“I will always remember their smiles and the memories shared over the years, there truly was no one like them, and their parents were their biggest, fiercest supporters. May they rest in peace together as a family, NDIS — do better.”
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
