Australians across the nation are being urged to light a candle at 5pm this evening to honour the lives of two innocent boys, Leon and Otis Clune, who were tragically killed in a horrific double murder-suicide in Mosman Park. The heartbreaking incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and beyond, prompting calls for reflection and support.
A Devastating Discovery in Mott Close
Police made a grim discovery on Friday morning when they were called to the Clune family home on Mott Close in Mosman Park. Leon Clune, aged 16, and his younger brother Otis, 14, were found dead inside the property alongside their parents, Jarrod, 50, and Maiwenna, 49, as well as three family pets. The scene was uncovered after a person, believed to be a carer attending a pre-arranged appointment for the teens, who both lived with autism, noticed a note on the front door.
The note warned against entering and instead instructed the individual to contact police immediately. Homicide detectives are now treating the case as a double murder-suicide, with ongoing investigations to determine whether the children were killed before their parents took their own lives. Authorities are examining a letter found inside the home, which reportedly discusses the parents' mindset and suggests some planning behind the tragic event.
Community Call to Action: Lighting a Candle at 5pm
In response to this devastating loss, Sarah Langston, president of the Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association, has called on all Australians impacted by the deaths to pay their respects by lighting a candle at 5pm AWST on Saturday. "We are just inviting everyone, not just the disability community, to light a candle for the boys... to remember them, to centre them, their lives, their dignity and their rights as children," Ms Langston stated.
She emphasised the profound distress caused by such events, noting that murders of this nature are unfortunately too common. "Whenever they happen we see a lot of commentary which overemphasises that disabled children are a burden — but they’re not a burden, they’re precious," Ms Langston added. "Whenever a child is killed, it’s devastating. It really touches the whole community — we all care about children."
For those able to participate further, Ms Langston encouraged viewing a livestream on the association's Facebook page at the same time. The stream will feature a lit candle and a poem read in honour of Leon and Otis, with comments turned off to allow for quiet reflection.
Family Struggles and Support System Failures
A friend of the Clune family, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the boys' parents had actively sought support services for their children but faced consistent rejection. "They were consistently rejected by the very people and organisations whose job it is to support families like the Clunes," the friend said, highlighting potential gaps in the support system for families with neurodivergent children.
WA Police continue their investigation into the note found at the property, which may shed light on the circumstances leading up to the tragedy. Detectives have not yet drawn conclusions regarding each parent's role in the deaths of their children before their suspected suicides.
This tragic event underscores the urgent need for community awareness and improved support for families dealing with autism and other neurodivergent conditions. As the nation comes together to remember Leon and Otis Clune, the call to light a candle serves as a poignant reminder of the value of every child's life and the importance of compassion in times of grief.
