Mott Close tragedy: Four found dead as police probe suspected murder-suicide in Perth suburb

A quiet cul-de-sac in Perth’s western suburbs was sealed off Friday after police discovered four people dead inside a home on Mott Close, launching a major investigation that authorities say is being treated as a suspected murder-suicide. The deaths — involving two adults and two teenage boys — triggered an intensive forensic response and renewed attention on how quickly a family crisis can escalate behind closed doors.

Police were called to the residence around 7:15 p.m. ET Thursday (8:15 a.m. Friday local time in Perth) after a family member arrived for a pre-arranged visit and raised the alarm. Investigators say there is no ongoing threat to the public, but several nearby streets were cordoned off as officers processed the scene.

What happened at Mott Close

Officers entered the home and found four people deceased: a 50-year-old man, a 49-year-old woman, and two boys aged 14 and 16. Police also located three deceased pets at the property.

The investigation remains in its early stages, but authorities have described the event as a devastating tragedy for the local community and first responders. While the neighborhood is known for being calm and residential, the morning quickly turned into a large emergency operation, with police vehicles, ambulances, and forensic staff converging on the short street.

After the initial discovery, authorities asked residents and members of the public to avoid the area while the scene was secured and examined.

What investigators have confirmed — and what remains unclear

Police have shared several key points while stressing that important details are still being established. In brief:

• Confirmed: The four deceased are believed to be part of the same family unit.

• Confirmed: Police say no weapon was used in the incident.

• Confirmed: A note was left at the premises, and investigators are reviewing it.

• Unclear: Authorities have not publicly detailed the exact cause of death for each person.

• Unclear: Police say they are still working to pin down when the deaths occurred — whether overnight, earlier in the morning, or another timeframe.

That uncertainty matters operationally: establishing a reliable timeline helps investigators reconstruct events, verify movements, and determine what information was available — and when — to the people connected to the household.

Why police are treating it as a suspected murder-suicide

Police say the case is being investigated as a suspected murder-suicide, but have not released a motive. Investigators noted there were no reported family violence matters previously known to police involving the household.

Authorities also said the two children had significant health challenges, a detail that may shape how investigators understand the family’s circumstances and what support systems were in place. Even so, police have been careful not to draw conclusions publicly while forensic work is underway.

Officials also indicated the bodies were not found together in one location inside the home, a point that may become relevant as the timeline and sequence of events are clarified through evidence at the scene.

Community impact and the emergency response

The incident triggered a substantial response from emergency services. Neighbors described an unusual surge of sirens and activity in the area, and the police cordon disrupted normal morning routines in surrounding streets.

Authorities emphasized that there is no ongoing risk to the wider community, but cautioned that the investigation will take time. Major incidents involving multiple deaths require painstaking scene examination, evidence collection, and coordination among investigators, forensic specialists, and medical authorities.

Police also acknowledged the toll such scenes can take on first responders, noting that officers attending were provided with support given the scale and severity of what they encountered.

What happens next

The next steps are expected to center on forensic processing, formal identification procedures, and post-mortem examinations. Investigators will also continue interviewing relevant contacts, reviewing the note left at the scene, and building a clearer timeline of events leading up to the discovery.

For the public, the immediate focus is likely to remain on updates about the investigation’s progress and when road closures in the area can be lifted. Beyond the keywords, the broader question is how communities, health services, and support networks recognize and respond to families under extreme strain — while respecting privacy and avoiding assumptions before investigators finish their work.

Authorities have signaled that more information may be released as the investigation moves from initial response to confirmed findings, but for now, the case remains an active and evolving inquiry.