Father charged over Perth murders
Australia shocked after three generations of one family, including toddlers, killed
Aman has been charged over the Perth mass murder that claimed lives spanning three generations of one family, including his three infant daughters. Anthony Robert Harvey, 24, was charged yesterday with five counts of murder and appeared before the Perth Magistrates Court via video link from Karratha, in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
He is accused of killing 2-year-old twins Alice and Beatrix Harvey, 331⁄2-year-old Charlotte Harvey and their mother, Mara Quinn, 47, on Monday, September 3. He is accused of killing Quinn’s mother, Beverley Quinn, 74, the next day.
The five bodies were found at a house in the Perth suburb of Bedford on Sunday after Harvey surrendered himself to police in Karratha, a town more than 15 hours north of Bedford.
Police declined to say what Harvey said to lead them to the scene but said he spent the night being interviewed by detectives and was helping them with their inquiries.
When magistrate Joe Randazzo asked Harvey yesterday if he understood each murder charge, he replied: “I understand.” He stared at the ground and showed no emotion while on video. He is due to appear again via video link on September 19.
Neighbours told the ABC that Quinn lived at the property with her children and partner, and that an older woman visited regularly. According to online newspaper WAtoday, Quinn, 47, lived in the house with Harvey.
Who would want to hurt little children? I just don’t understand it. Doug Robertson
In August 2014, Quinn took to social media to announce she was newly engaged. Her first daughter was born around six months later.
ABC reported that she is believed to have worked in the Pilbara area some years ago and that land title records showed she bought the brick-and-tile home on Coode St in 2008.
A large section of the street and house were still cordoned off yesterday with police forensic teams saying it would take them at least three days to investigate the scene.
Distraught neighbours spoke about the family and how they hadn’t been seen in recent days.
Doug Robertson told news.com.au that he often heard the girls playing.
“Who would want to hurt little children?” Robertson asked. “I just don’t understand it. I didn’t see the kids but I could hear them playing. I just can’t believe this has happened.”
Alfie Campos, who lives behind the family’s house, described the horrific situation as like living in “a bad dream”.
“You wake up in the morning and it seems like some weird dream, but it is reality,” Campos told news.com.au. “It’s just awful.”
He said the family were very warm and friendly.
“I would always see the kids playing and I would shout out hello to them.”
It is the third time this year that police in the state have been confronted by what appears to be a mass murder crime scene.
WA Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Steel said it was tragic for first responders as well as family and friends. “It does send a ripple through the community of Western Australia.”