Dad of Willow, who ‘starved to death in her cot’, shacked up with BRIDESMAID following wife’s death

The dad accused of starving his young daughter to death had recently shunned his family and shacked up with his dead wife’s bridesmaid, relatives claim.

Mark Dunn, 43, allegedly left little Willow, four, to die in her cot, not calling help for two days despite finding her dead body on Saturday in their Brisbane home.  

When authorities were finally called to the home in Canon Hill on Monday, they claimed to find a malnourished Willow dead with bone-deep sores on her hips. 

Mr Dunn had been living in the home with his girlfriend Shannon White, who was the bridesmaid at his wedding to Willow’s biological mother Naomi Dunn in 2014.

Mrs Dunn died a year after their nuptials, just days after giving birth to Willow, who had Down syndrome.

Shortly after her death, Ms White, who had been friends with Ms Dunn for about 20 years, left South Australia and moved in with the widower in Queensland.

Mr Dunn’s family have since accused him of pushing them away so he could pursue a relationship with his dead wife’s bridesmaid, according to the The Australian. 

Shannon White (pictured) was Ms Dunn's bridesmaid, but later 'shacked up with her husband'

Naomi Dunn (pictured, left) died after giving birth to Willow in 2015. A year earlier, Shannon White (right) had been bridesmaid at her wedding – but later ‘shacked up with her husband’

Willow Dunn's (pictured) body was found malnourished and decomposing in her bed at her house in Cannon Hill on Monday, with her face allegedly partially eaten by rats

Willow Dunn’s (pictured) body was found malnourished and decomposing in her bed at her house in Cannon Hill on Monday, with her face allegedly partially eaten by rats 

Mr Dunn allegedly banned his wife’s other children from seeing Willow, blocking their phone numbers and social media accounts.   

‘He pushed away everyone when (Naomi) died so he could be with Shannon,’ the relative said.

Mr Dunn has already been charged with murder under new laws in Queensland, but police have not ruled out charging others.

In scenes described as among the most disturbing ever seen by police, Willow was allegedly suffering from infected sores and had been attacked by rats. 

On Friday, police confirmed a post-mortem had revealed the toddler died of malnourishment and sustained neglect.

A Facebook post from Ms White in 2014 claimed Ms Dunn was her best friend of 19 years (pictured)

A Facebook post from Ms White in 2014 claimed Ms Dunn was her best friend of 19 years (pictured)

Ms White went on to become Willow's stepmother, having previously been a bridesmaid at her parent's 2014 wedding (pictured, with Mark Dunn, left, and Naomi, right)

Ms White went on to become Willow’s stepmother, having previously been a bridesmaid at her parent’s 2014 wedding (pictured, with Mark Dunn, left, and Naomi, right)

It is understood she was known to the Child Safety department, but was not registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Acting Detective Inspector Chris Knight from the homicide squad said police had spoken to all members of the household, including Willow’s 19-year-old step-sister.  

‘We continue to investigate all aspects of Willow’s life, being her care, her health and her treatment in the days weeks, months and years leading up to her death,’ Inspector Knight said.

‘Our investigation will continue until detectives are satisfied that we’ve exhausted all options to make a thorough evaluation and decide whether any other culpability exists for any other people that had responsibility to provide care for Willow.’

He admitted paramedics and police had found the scene ‘extremely confronting’ when they arrived at the family home.   

Willow's father Mark James Dunn (pictured) has been charged with her murder, with family claiming he 'shunned' them after her mother's death - shacking up with her best friend

Willow’s father Mark James Dunn (pictured) has been charged with her murder, with family claiming he ‘shunned’ them after her mother’s death – shacking up with her best friend

Flowers and toys were spread outside the Cannon Hill home by well-wishers on Thursday (pictured)

Flowers and toys were spread outside the Cannon Hill home by well-wishers on Thursday (pictured)

‘In my experience ambulance officers and police officers generally speaking are fairly resilient people,’ he said.

‘But I can assure you that in my experience and my contact with the individuals involved, they were confronted by a scene that will stay with them for many years.’

Ms Dunn died in 2015 one week after giving birth to Willow due to blood clots, Ms Kipping said, never having had the chance to care for her baby.  

A childhood friend of Ms Dunn also described her as a ‘beautiful’ person. 

‘The last time I spoke to her on messenger, she was happy. She just seemed to be still the happy girl that was my best friend many years ago.’ said Anita Thompson. 

Police are probing whether the toddler starved to death in her own bedroom at the Cannon Hill home (pictured)

Police are probing whether the toddler starved to death in her own bedroom at the Cannon Hill home (pictured)

‘She [Naomi] would have been a great mum to Willow. I can’t believe it, that poor little baby girl.

Ms Dunn had been a mother to six children and a ‘nanna’ to two. 

Messages show Ms Dunn and her bridesmaid, who later became stepmum to her daughter, were close friends for decades.

In 2014, Ms White posted: ‘I still have my bestie from 19 years ago Naomi Kipping (Ms Dunn). She’s always been there for me no matter what.’

Daily Mail Australia understands Willow was sent to live with an aunt and uncle after her mother’s death, but returned to live with Mr Dunn about a year later. 

Locals said they had not seen Willow for two weeks before her death and that she had been seen looking unwell in the weeks prior, The Courier Mail reported.

Queensland Child Safety Minister Di Farmer refused to comment on the department’s relationship with Willow’s family.

Shannon White (pictured)  is Willow's stepmother and was best friends with Willow's biological mother Naomi Dunn for 20 years before moving in with Mr Dunn after she died

Shannon White (pictured)  is Willow’s stepmother and was best friends with Willow’s biological mother Naomi Dunn for 20 years before moving in with Mr Dunn after she died

Shocked neighbours began arriving at the scene on Tuesday to lay flowers for the toddler, but many said they had never seen the little girl – despite the family moving in a year ago.

‘They’ve been there for that long and we didn’t know a little girl lived there,’ one neighbour said. 

‘That’s the big take-home for me. I can’t believe it.’

Her father was charged under a new definition of murder in Queensland aimed at child-killers, which includes ‘reckless indifference to human life’.

The case was briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday, but Dunn did not appear in person, with the case adjourned until July 20.  

A teddy bear, dressed in a Parramatta Eels jersey, was placed in the window of the family home on Tuesday, while a pram sat abandoned in the front garden.

Police clear out the site in Cannon Hill (pictured) where Willow was allegedly found with her face eaten by rats

Police clear out the site in Cannon Hill (pictured) where Willow was allegedly found with her face eaten by rats

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