Grandad kills 6 in family, then himself
A GRANDFATHER is suspected of killing his wife, daughter and his four autistic grandchildren in a murder-suicide yesterday.
Peter Miles is believed to have made a 5am telephone call to police before turning a gun on himself.
Police discovered the bodies of the four children and three adults soon afterwards at the farm at Osmington, south of Perth in Western Australia.
Two firearms were found at the scene and police confirmed they were not looking for anyone in connection with the horror shootings.
The young mother was named locally as Katrina Miles. Her children, Ryan, Taye, Ayre and Kadyn, were aged between eight and 13.
She lived with her parents Cynda and Peter on their farm.
Ms Miles, who was separated from her husband, was described as a devoted mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her “smart and beautiful” children.
Tributes have been coming following the tragedy.
One friend said: “I always admired Katrina for her strength.
“The kids were kind, gentle, smart and beautiful children.”
Two adults were found outside the property and the other five bodies discovered inside.
WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said: “I can only describe it as a horrific situation. We have no information to raise concern about wider public safety issues.”
He said police had a recording of the early morning telephone call.
The tragedy unfolded four weeks in after Katrina posted on Facebook, complaining of being harassed and stalked by her ex-husband, Aaron Cockman.
She wrote: “Despite four years passing… my ex does not stop stalking and harassing me.
“My family shouldn’t have to spend their Sunday night dealing with this. He stayed overnight, parked on the side of the road.
“If anyone sees his van parked on Osmington Rd please call the ranger to move him on.”
The shooting is understood to be the worst in Australia since the massacre in 1996 at Port Arthur, Tasmania, in which a lone gunman killed 35 people and seriously injured 23 others.
Following that incident Australia imposed strict gun laws which saw gun crime drop dramatically.