A tragic incident in Coonabarabran, New South Wales, has shaken the local community after two young boys, aged 6 and 7, were found dead in their grandmother’s home on May 5, according to NSW Police. Officers responded to a welfare check on Emu Lane and discovered the children deceased in separate bedrooms. This was reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.

The children’s 66-year-old grandmother, their sole caregiver, was arrested at the scene in Coonabarabran. Then she was taken to Dubbo Hospital after reportedly self-harming, 9 News Australia reported.

She has since been transferred to a mental health facility in Orange and remains under hospital guard. Authorities expect she will face “serious charges” once released. The NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland confirmed.

One of the children had reportedly been battling cancer. The boys had been living with their grandmother since being removed from their parents’ care, ABC News Australia confirmed.

“This is an incomprehensible tragedy,” Holland told the media, adding that the incident is being treated as a double homicide. He described the scene as especially traumatic for the responding officers, one of whom remains off duty due to emotional distress.

Police sources revealed that the grandmother allegedly contacted the Department of Communities and Justice before police arrived at her apartment in Coonabarabran.

NSW Premier Chris Minns expressed his condolences, calling the loss “terrible” and acknowledging the pain felt by the local community, family, and first responders. Authorities continue to investigate, with no further updates as of May 6.

#Clique, what are your thoughts?