Growing Calls for Coronial Inquest into Mosman Park Tragedy: Disability Commissioner Demands Answers in Suspected Double Murder-Suicide
PERTH, Australia — A week after the heartbreaking discovery of four bodies in a upscale Mosman Park home, Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess has joined a chorus of voices demanding a full coronial inquest into the suspected double murder-suicide that claimed the lives of teenage autistic brothers Leon and Otis Clune and their parents. The incident, unfolding on January 30, 2026, has ignited national outrage and spotlighted systemic failures in disability support, with advocates warning that without urgent reforms, such tragedies could recur.
news.com.au
Police respond to ‘serious incident’ at home in Mosman Park, WA
Western Australia Police were called to the Mott Close property following welfare concerns, where they found the bodies of 15-year-old Leon, 17-year-old Otis, and their parents, aged in their 40s and 50s. Authorities are treating the case as a murder-suicide, with preliminary investigations suggesting the parents killed their sons before taking their own lives. Three family pets—two dogs and a cat—were also found dead at the scene. No firearms were involved, and while the exact method remains undisclosed, police have ruled out third-party involvement.
The affluent suburb, known for its serene riverside views, was thrust into lockdown as forensic teams in blue hazmat suits combed the modern two-story home for evidence. Neighbors described the family as “private but friendly,” with no prior signs of distress reported to authorities. However, emerging details paint a picture of immense strain: both boys were autistic and required significant support, including National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding. Friends and carers have since revealed the parents’ struggles with accessing adequate services, exacerbating isolation and caregiver burnout.
thewest.com.au
Mosman Park deaths: Family, including two children, dead in …
Commissioner Kayess, a prominent disability rights lawyer and wheelchair user herself, issued a scathing statement alongside National Children’s Commissioner Deb Tsorbaris through the Australian Human Rights Commission. “We are heartbroken by the deaths of teenagers Otis and Leon and their parents,” Kayess said. “While we don’t yet know all the details, it’s important that the gravity of this situation is not diminished by the fact that the two teenagers were autistic and required support. There is never a justification for family violence or murder.”
Kayess condemned “dangerous narratives” in media and public discourse that frame disabilities as burdens, potentially justifying violence. She emphasized rejecting the notion that “disability is a burden,” asserting every child’s right to life, safety, and support. Families, she added, deserve help “well before crisis.” The commissioners urged immediate implementation of recommendations from the 2023 Disability Royal Commission, which highlighted gaps in mental health, respite care, and inclusive education for neurodiverse individuals.
“A coronial inquest is urgently needed to ensure strong investigative powers to respond to this tragedy and to identify the underlying and systemic issues that led to the parents’ actions, and to provide a sense of justice for Otis and Leon,” Kayess stated. Such an inquest, if public, could compel witnesses, review NDIS records, and probe interactions with health services, potentially leading to policy overhauls.
WA Premier Roger Cook echoed the calls, describing the event as “devastating” and pledging a thorough review of support systems. Disability advocates, including groups like Autistic Inclusive Meets, have amplified the demand, sharing Kayess’s words on social media and organizing vigils. One such memorial in Perth drew hundreds, with flowers, candles, and photos of the smiling brothers laid at a community park.
thewest.com.au
Mosman Park tragedy: Australian Human Rights Commission calls for …
Community carer Maddie Page, who knew the family, led tributes, remembering Leon and Otis as “joyful and full of life.” “They deserved better from all of us,” she told reporters. The boys’ extended family, in a brief statement, expressed profound grief and requested privacy.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch confirmed the investigation is ongoing, with a report prepared for the WA Coroner, who will decide on an inquest. Experts like former royal commission witnesses warn that without addressing caregiver fatigue—often intensified by bureaucratic hurdles in the NDIS—similar incidents loom. The royal commission’s final report called for $2.5 billion in annual funding boosts, yet implementation lags.
As Australia grapples with this loss, the push for accountability grows. Kayess’s intervention underscores a pivotal moment: will this tragedy catalyze change, or become another statistic in the fight for disability rights? Advocates hope the inquest will honor Leon and Otis by preventing future heartbreak.
