11 July 2010

Death in Dunlop

| johnboy
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[First filed: Jul 9, 2010 @ 16:25]


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ABC Radio is reporting two people found dead in a house in Dunlop, Polewarth Circuit.

More as it comes to hand.

UPDATE: The ACT Policing media release is now up:

ACT Policing is currently responding to an incident in Dunlop after two deceased persons, a male and a female were located inside a residence in Polwarth Circuit just after 2:28pm this afternoon (Friday 9 July).

Investigations are currently underway to determine the circumstances and causes of their deaths.

The area remains blocked off to members of the public as police conduct their inquiries in relation to the matter.

Any readers with pictures should send them to images@the-riotact.com

FURTHER UPDATE: The ABC has a snippett and more significantly the AFP are suggesting a murder-suicide:

ACT Policing is investigating the deaths of a male and female found inside a residence in Polwarth Circuit, Dunlop yesterday (Friday 9 July).

It appears both deceased persons died from apparent gun shot wounds. Police do not believe that a third person is involved.

Post-mortems are expected to be conducted at a later date.

The identities of the deceased’s are yet to be released while police locate all family members.

A number of witnesses have provided statements to police and the investigation is ongoing. However, anyone who has not yet spoken to police and can provide information which may be able to assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers website on www.act.crimestoppers.com.au.

ANOTHER UPDATE: The Canberra Times has come to the party:

Neighbours believed the pair were a husband and wife aged in their 30s. They had two children, both younger than seven.

It is believed the children were staying with relatives for the school holidays and were found by police yesterday evening.

HOT TIP: We’ve had a tip that the house where the tragedy took place is 71 Polewarth Circuit, currently listed for sale on Allhomes, however others believe the address to be 69 Polewarth, so take with a grain of salt.

Yet Another Update: The ABC are reporting it as a domestic dispute between a separated couple.

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I-filed said :

Announced on the Intranet by the Secretary of the Department this morning, apparently. HR professional.

Even this post is inaccurate. It was the Assistant Secretary of the People Management Branch who posted this news on the intranet. She was lovely and a friend to all she met!

Does anyone know the age of Matt Butt? Is it the same Matt Butt that grew up in Evatt & went to Lake Ginnenderra? Worked for a pool company & then Rawson Homes? The one with the beautiful blue eyes and friendly persona….if it is, it’s so hard to swallow. I feel for the kids, absolutely tragic.

His name was Matt Butt, his funeral is friday.

I have been checking in here everyday to see if the names have been released yet. I hope it isn’t someone I know but regardless, it is a very tragic outcome for those little kids. So sad.

Announced on the Intranet by the Secretary of the Department this morning, apparently. HR professional.

I fear I know one of whom is now dead, but I reiterate, until we are told officially, we cannot speculate. Rest in peace, the innocent victim and rot in hell, the perpetrator! Everyone else – please do not play games speculating.

georgesgenitals8:25 pm 14 Jul 10

very, very sad…

+1. A tragedy. Hope the family finds a way to move on with their lives.

it was number 67, i worked with the guy until a few months ago when he left to join the public service, Her whole family lives in the USA that’s why they haven’t released names as they are trying to get hold of them, they had two young kids and they are who i feel sorry for the most, this is one of those cases where you would never guess someone had that in them.

may they rest in peace….

hk0reduck said :

Picture on the below article solidifies that it’s not no. 71 where it occurred.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/dunlop-gun-death-couple-were-due-to-celebrate-sons-birthday/1883405.aspx

thanks for the link. there is a photo of the house.i now know the house number. you can look it at google map. drag the people icon in to the map then start navigating through. it is 2 houses to the left facing the property on sale in allhomes.

Wow my friend lives at 71, I will have to tell them about the exposure they are getting on here.

thank you Cathrine

None of you really know until their names are released, officially. This is an dreadful situation in which I wiah none of you ever have to closely experience

amarooresident3 said :

steveu said :

another outcome of the family court system.

Really? How do you know that? Might as well say it is an outcome of easily accessable firearms.

I think the fact that the couple were recently sperated, and there were kids involved, makes the balance of probability this very much the case.

Or no. 69 for that matter.

It’s really sad, that the one responsible for the deaths didn’t get counselling, now the lives of family and friends will never be the same again.

steveu said :

another outcome of the family court system.

No, an outcome of someone’s inability to handle rejection and them having access to firearms.

bd84 said :

LMR said :

I know some people who live in that street and its my understanding that the police
were called by neighbours, due to hearing gunshots, at around 12.15!! Why did it take
the police over 2 hours to respond?

Were they able to tell the police exactly which house the shots came from? Ringing the police and telling them you heard gunshots coming from somewhere around the place isn’t necessarily going to lead them to finding the scene..

True, but the person gave their address and the police on the other end of the phone told that person that they were aware of the situation and had already recieved other calls reporting the same incedent. It shouldnt be too hard to lock down the situation with all that info?

LMR said :

I know some people who live in that street and its my understanding that the police
were called by neighbours, due to hearing gunshots, at around 12.15!! Why did it take
the police over 2 hours to respond?

Were they able to tell the police exactly which house the shots came from? Ringing the police and telling them you heard gunshots coming from somewhere around the place isn’t necessarily going to lead them to finding the scene..

no, don’t think they’ve released their names as yet. Poor children that are left without their parents. it’s a shame how break ups turn nasty when they originally start out with love and caring. RIP to both of them

amarooresident31:01 pm 12 Jul 10

steveu said :

another outcome of the family court system.

Really? How do you know that? Might as well say it is an outcome of easily accessable firearms.

I know some people who live in that street and its my understanding that the police
were called by neighbours, due to hearing gunshots, at around 12.15!! Why did it take
the police over 2 hours to respond?

^ Yes, they have. I am pretty sure their names are on another article out there, maybe News.com.au.

another outcome of the family court system.

Ari said :

Yeah, those sellers at 71 must be revelling in having their house wrongly linked to a double murder.

And those in no. 69 might be wondering what they did to attract undeserved attention too.

too true, it’s definately not either of those houses. Trying to attach a house number to the incident is rather pointless and more than likely to cause the wrongly identified houses more unwarranted attention.

wow, people can get the property market into any conversation these days

i grew up a short walk from there and my parents still live nearby

its a big shock but i take heart from the fact that such a tragedy is still a big shock in the community

i dread a day when such incidents fail to shock anymore

Very sad and becoming quite normal on every day news. Pressure of a break up or what ever every day stress we all face. Poor kids. As if anyone will want to buy that house now knowing two people died a violent, sad death in it. Better demolishing it and rebuilding.

just got a Real Estate agent’s card in the mailbox for no71 “Just Listed”. Nice timing Peta Barrett (L J Hooker, Kippax)… I suppose you could drop $25-50K off the price now?

Yeah, those sellers at 71 must be revelling in having their house wrongly linked to a double murder.

And those in no. 69 might be wondering what they did to attract undeserved attention too.

Your tip is looking a bit less and less likely.

The photo from the latest Canberra Times article (http://www.canberratimes.com.au/multimedia/images/large/844126.jpg) makes it look more like it isn’t even number 69 but actually number 67.

On Google Street-view number 69 has someone standing out the front too 🙂

If the reports are true, it is sad to think that their kids are now orphans.

Die Lefty Scum said :

The sellers of #71 have timed their listing perfectly. They’ll be getting more hits than Google with all this free publicity.

LOL No doubt they are far too smart to let an golden opportunity like this pass them by…..

Die Lefty Scum2:04 pm 10 Jul 10

The sellers of #71 have timed their listing perfectly. They’ll be getting more hits than Google with all this free publicity.

The picture in the CT clearly shows the house where it has occurred isn’t the house for sale, I think the owners of the house for sale would appreciate it if you removed the Allhomes link from the story..

I actually think it is number 69

Are you sure it is 71? The photo in the CT looks more like the one next door

*Update*

ACT Policing is investigating the deaths of a male and female found inside a residence in Polwarth Circuit, Dunlop yesterday (Friday 9 July).

It appears both deceased persons died from apparent gun shot wounds. Police do not believe that a third person is involved.

Post-mortems are expected to be conducted at a later date.

The identities of the deceased’s are yet to be released while police locate all family members.

“A neighbour, who chose not to be named, said a “lovely couple” with two young children, a boy and a girl, had lived at the house for about eight years.

“They raised their kids there and had all the typical young family-type stuff like your trampoline, dogs, jumping castle,” he told AAP.

“They took the dogs and kids for a walk with their little push bikes and training wheels.

“I asked the police if the kids were safe but they said they couldn’t say.

“It’s quite sad, very very sad.”

An ACT police spokeswoman said the deaths were being treated as suspicious but it was too early to speculate about the cause.

Their identities and reasons for being at the house were still not known, the spokeswoman said.

Police cars have cordoned off the street and are only allowing residents in and out after checking their identity.

–> http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-national/canberra-deaths-suspicious-police-20100709-103vc.html

“Police entered the house about 2:30pm after one of the man’s colleagues told them he had not shown up for work.

Two bodies were found inside.

Forensics are about to enter the house and about 20 police officers have gathered nearby for a briefing.

Other officers have blocked off the road and are starting to question neighbours.

Police say it is too early to say whether the deaths are suspicious.”

–> http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/australian-news/7560341/man-and-woman-found-dead-in-home/

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