The tragic deaths of Leon Clune, 16, and Otis Clune, 14, alongside their parents Jarrod Clune, 50, and Maiwenna Goasdoue, 49, in a suspected double murder-suicide at their home in Perth’s affluent Mosman Park suburb has sent shockwaves across Australia. The family, along with their three beloved pets—two dogs and a cat—were discovered dead on Friday, January 30, 2026, prompting intense scrutiny of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and support for families caring for children with high-needs autism.
The discovery unfolded around 8:15 a.m. when a carer arrived for a scheduled visit at the Mott Close property. Finding a note on the door instructing not to enter and to call police immediately, she alerted authorities. Officers entered to find the four family members deceased inside the home, with no signs of a violent struggle reported externally, though some media outlets mentioned possible bloodstains at the rear of the property. A second note, allegedly discovered later, suggested the act was premeditated, with the parents deciding together to end their lives and those of their sons amid what they may have viewed as insurmountable despair.
Both Leon and Otis lived with autism and required substantial daily support. Otis was non-verbal and needed intensive care, while Leon faced significant behavioral and developmental challenges. The boys had earlier attended the elite Christ Church Grammar School in Perth’s western suburbs, though school records and insider accounts reveal difficulties—one was reportedly expelled after incidents that led to harsh labels like “monster” from some perspectives. Yet earlier school newsletters captured joyful, innocent moments: beach outings, enjoying fish and chips, river adventures with friends, and playing with pets, painting a picture of cherished childhoods despite the hurdles.
Jarrod and Maiwenna were portrayed by friends, carers, and advocates as deeply devoted parents who fought tirelessly for their sons. They shunned respite care due to fears of mistreatment and endured relentless strain, including chronic sleep deprivation from the boys rarely sleeping through the night and managing intense behaviors, especially during extended school holidays. Social connections faded over time—invitations ceased, outings became rare—as the lifelong caregiving burden intensified, leaving the parents in their late 40s and 50s terrified of what would become of their boys without them.
Longtime carer and autism mentor Maddie Page, who supported the family for over a decade, led emotional tributes. She described the boys as having “captured her heart,” teaching her creative approaches to autism support and that communication transcends words. “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,” Page wrote. She emphasized that Jarrod and Maiwenna were the boys’ “biggest and fiercest advocates,” yet the system had failed them profoundly. “My heart feels unbearably heavy knowing that the NDIS system failed them, and that they were made to feel they had no other choice,” she said tearfully.
Friends and anonymous sources cited recent NDIS funding reductions—potentially for one boy—as a critical factor pushing the family to breaking point. The parents had desperately sought more assistance, facing repeated bureaucratic denials despite advocacy efforts. Carer exhaustion, financial pressures from their high-value Mosman Park home (purchased for $1.4m in 2016, now estimated over $3m), and profound hopelessness reportedly compounded the crisis, leaving them feeling utterly abandoned by supports designed to help.
thewest.com.au
thewest.com.au
The incident has triggered widespread grief, with candlelight vigils, heartfelt poems from other autism parents, and demands for NDIS reform. Disability advocates, including groups like the Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association, condemned systemic gaps in funding stability, mental health resources, and carer burnout prevention. Federal figures, including NDIS Minister Mark Butler, called it an “unspeakable tragedy,” while WA Premier Roger Cook described it as “unimaginable.”
Police continue investigations, with a likely coronial inquest to examine NDIS decisions, service shortcomings, and contributing factors. Experts stress this case exposes broader vulnerabilities: isolated families, unstable funding, and the crushing fear many parents harbor about their children’s futures.
This devastating loss of Leon, Otis, Jarrod, and Maiwenna serves as a stark reminder—no amount of parental love can fully compensate when support systems collapse. Australia mourns while urgently calling for reforms to prevent any other family from reaching such a tragic “no other choice.”
