Detectives investigating the deaths of two young boys found dead with stab wounds at a home in the NSW Blue Mountains will probe whether the pair had been drugged beforehand.
Russell and Ben Smith, aged nine and 11, were found dead in their beds by their father Nick Smith in a home on Chapman Parade in Faulconbridge just before 12.40pm on Tuesday.
Their mum Trish Smith, 42, was arrested and airlifted to Westmead Hospital for treatment to self-inflicted cuts to her wrists.
She remains in hospital under police guard as investigators await for clearance from mental health professionals to question her.
No charges have so far been laid over the incident.
NSW Police are investigating whether the children were drugged before their deaths, the Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday.
With no history of domestic violence in the family, investigators are inquiring about how the happy family allegedly deteriorated into such a horrific incident.
It’s understood the boys died as a result of multiple stab wounds while laying in their beds.
However, it remains unclear whether it occurred on the day their bodies were discovered by their dad, or the night before.
Investigators will inquire if Russell and Ben (pictured) were drugged before they were stabbed to death in their beds
In one of Ms Smith’s most recent posts, a comment under a photo of her sons at school playing soccer and reading to preschoolers.
‘Russ had the best day ever,’ she wrote.
‘Thank you for providing the kids with so many opportunities.’
Russell and Ben had attended school on Monday, with detectives now investigating what triggered their absence on Tuesday ahead of the tragic events that would later allegedly unfold at their home.
The Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese released a statement on behalf of the school, saying everyone who knew the young boys was grief-stricken by their loss.
‘Our Catholic schools community is devastated by the tragic deaths of Ben and Russell, two students of Our Lady of the Nativity Primary School in Lawson,’ the statement read.
‘Counselling and wellbeing support is available to students and staff at Our Lady of the Nativity today, and will continue to be provided in coming weeks.
‘The care and kindness of the broader Blues Mountains community at this difficult time is much appreciated.
‘With police investigations continuing, we are unable to comment any further at this time.’
As police established a crime scene at the home, Mr Smith – who had not been living with the family at the time of the tragedy – travelled to the nearby Springwood Police Station to assist homicide detectives with their investigation.
A crime scene has been established at their family home in the Blue Mountains as detectives work to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy (pictured)
The former couple, who first bought the home 14 years ago, were well-known and liked members of the close-knit community and regular attendees at the local Christmas street party.
Ms Smith worked for the state government’s Greater Sydney Local Land Service, while her former husband is Big W’s head of replenishment.
The crime scene has been in lockdown for more than 24 hours as detectives work to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy.
Mr Smith’s Mercedes-Benz station wagon has remained outside the family’s property, which is cordoned off by police tape.
Detectives were still removing bags of evidence on Wednesday morning as devastated local residents ferried their children past the home on the way to the local Springwood High and Springwood Public schools at the end of the street.
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