They begged for help… but no one came. 😢

What could drive devoted parents to make the unthinkable choice—ending not just their own lives, but those of their two beloved teenage sons and even the family pets—in one of Perth’s most affluent suburbs?

Heartbreaking new details from notes left behind reveal the full, devastating reasons behind Jarrod and Mai’s decision in the Mosman Park tragedy. The family appeared picture-perfect online—smiling kids, loving posts—but behind closed doors…

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In the quiet, tree-lined streets of one of Perth’s wealthiest suburbs, a devastating discovery unfolded on the morning of January 30, 2026. Police responded to a home on Mott Close after a support worker found a note on the door instructing them to call authorities and not enter. Inside, officers found the bodies of Jarrod Clune, 50, Maiwenna “Mai” Goasdoue, 49, and their two teenage sons, Leon Clune, 16, and Otis Clune, 14. Three family pets—two dogs and a cat—were also deceased.

Western Australia Police have treated the incident as a suspected double murder-suicide, pending a full coronial investigation. No charges have been filed, and authorities have emphasized that inquiries remain ongoing. A report is being prepared for the coroner.

Details emerging from the scene and interviews with those close to the family paint a picture of profound despair. According to multiple reports from outlets including WA Today, the Sunday Times, and 9News, a second note discovered inside the home outlined the parents’ mindset and indicated a joint decision to end their lives. The document reportedly included plans for family finances and expressed the overwhelming burden the couple had carried for years.

Friends and former carers described the Clunes as a “close and loving family” who appeared outwardly stable. Social media posts showed smiling children and family moments, with no obvious signs of the struggles within. Yet sources say the parents provided full-time care for Leon and Otis, both of whom lived with severe, non-verbal autism and significant ongoing health challenges.

The boys required round-the-clock support, and the family reportedly sought additional assistance through Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Relatives and support workers told media outlets, including the Daily Mail and News.com.au, that the couple felt increasingly “isolated” and “abandoned” as requests for more funding or resources were repeatedly denied. Some accounts claim the family’s NDIS support had been reduced or deemed insufficient for the boys’ complex needs.

One particularly distressing detail involved Leon, who was reportedly expelled from a school and labeled a “monster” by some in the educational environment due to behavioral challenges associated with his condition. Friends said this contributed to the family’s growing sense of rejection by broader systems and even parts of their social circle.

A former carer who worked with the boys told News.com.au that the parents had reached a “breaking point” after years of caring without adequate respite or external help. “They were desperate for support,” the carer said, adding that the family felt let down by “the system.”

Disability advocates have responded strongly to the case. Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess expressed heartbreak over the deaths and condemned any narrative suggesting the boys’ disabilities justified the outcome. “Their disabilities should not be the basis for any justification of their murder,” she stated in comments reported by ABC News. She called for avoiding “dangerous narratives” that could stigmatize families with disabilities.

Federal Disability Minister Mark Butler described the event as an “unspeakable tragedy” and highlighted the need for better support structures. The Australian Human Rights Commission has advocated for a thorough coronial inquest to examine contributing factors.

A memorial service for the Clune family was held in Mosman Park shortly after the discovery, drawing community members to pay respects. Tributes described Leon and Otis as cheerful boys who enjoyed school activities and friendships in their earlier years, according to old school newsletters cited by PerthNow and 7NEWS. Those records portrayed innocent childhood moments that contrasted sharply with the family’s later isolation.

The tragedy has reignited national debate over the NDIS and support for families caring for children with profound disabilities. Critics argue that bureaucratic hurdles, funding cuts, and a lack of respite care can push caregivers to crisis points. Supporters of the scheme point to its role in providing essential services but acknowledge gaps in cases involving severe, complex needs.

Police have not released official details on the cause of death, citing the ongoing investigation. However, the presence of the notes—one directing emergency response and the other apparently explanatory—has led investigators to classify the deaths as a murder-suicide involving the parents and their sons.

Community members in Mosman Park, an affluent area known for its leafy streets and high property values, expressed shock. The suburb’s reputation for safety and privilege made the event particularly jarring.

As the investigation continues, the case underscores broader issues of caregiver burnout, mental health support for families with disabilities, and the adequacy of government-funded assistance programs. Friends of the family have urged compassion and understanding rather than judgment, emphasizing the love that defined the household despite its hidden struggles.

Leon and Otis Clune were remembered by some as social and endearing in their school days, participating in activities and forming bonds with peers. Their parents, Jarrod and Mai, were seen as dedicated and devoted, managing daily demands that grew more intense as the boys entered their teenage years.

The deaths have prompted calls from advocates for systemic reforms to prevent similar outcomes. Organizations supporting families with autistic children have shared stories of resilience amid challenges, with one mother from regional Western Australia telling ABC News there is “light at the end of the tunnel” through community and proper support—though she acknowledged the immense difficulties.

No final conclusions have been reached by authorities, and police continue to urge against speculation. The coroner’s report will ultimately determine the manner and cause of death for each family member.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Mosman Park community and disability sector grapple with difficult questions: How can society better support families in crisis? What reforms are needed to ensure no one feels so alone that ending life becomes an option?

For now, a family that once shared joy online leaves behind a legacy of love overshadowed by unimaginable pain—and a stark reminder of the hidden battles many caregivers face.