Eight children from the same family found dead at house in Australian suburb

Eight children have been found stabbed to death at a house in Cairns, Australia. The children are reportedly aged between 18 months and 15 years old. Police were called to a property in the suburb of Manoora following reports of a woman with serious injuries. During the search of the house the bodies of the children were discovered. The 34-year-old woman is reportedly the mother of seven of the children. The eighth child is thought to be a family member. The mother is said to be in a stable condition at a hospital where she is being questioned by police.

We’re a big family… I just can’t believe it.

Lisa Thaiday, a cousin of the mother of the children killed

Queensland Police Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said: “There are no suspects at this point. It’s very early days. The woman in hospital is the mother of most of the children. I am not able to confirm how the children died.” The street is in lock down and a crime scene will remain in place for at least another day, police said. Media outlets reported that the neighbourhood was predominantly inhabited by indigenous Aboriginal Australians, and was known by residents to have a high crime rate. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott called the events in Cairns “heartbreaking” and acknowledged that these were “trying days” for Australia.

This is an unspeakable crime. Tonight there will be tears and prayers across our country for these children.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Asia-Pacific Cairns