Mother, two kids murdered in Perth

A MOTHER and her two children are believed to be the victims of a gruesome killing in suburban Perth.

Two people were found dead in a house in Ellenbrook – about half an hour northeast of Perth – with police calling the crime scene “complex and horrific”.

Police said the deceased are believed to be a mother, as well as her young son and daughter.

“We are unable to release the ages of the deceased, however police can confirm that they are believed to be a mother and two children (male and female),” they told reporters.

A 19-year-old man was arrested and taken into custody, police said.

He is “assisting police with their inquiries”, and is understood to have lived with the victims, but his relationship to them remains unclear.

“A senior homicide squad investigating officer said to me today it is potentially the most horrific crime scene he has ever been called to,” Assistant Commissioner Paul Steel said.

“They located two deceased people inside the home and a further victim in the rear yard.

“An ambulance was called in relation to the critically injured victim in the rear yard who was conveyed to Royal Perth Hospital and, tragically, she died en route.”

Assistant Commissioner Steel said it could take days for the scene to be processed.

Police told reporters they were called at about 1.30am to a nearby convenience store, and then to a house nearby.

According to the ABC, a male person had entered a nearby 7-Eleven store, and requested police attendance.

“The home, along with the convenience store, is now a crime scene,” Assistant Commissioner Steel said.

“This is a terrible tragedy for the family involved, for their extended family and for those first responders who were forced to attend what was a horrific crime scene.”

He said the horrific crime was sure to send shockwaves through the Western Australia community.