Two young sisters are dead and a man known to them is in custody in an Easter Sunday tragedy in Melbourne.
TWO young sisters allegedly killed by their father in an Easter Sunday tragedy were their mother’s world, a family friend has said.
Indiana and Savana, aged three and four, were found dead at a relative’s home in Watsonia yesterday.
The man believed to be their father, Charles Mihayo, 35, lives in a granny flat at the back of the Longmuir Rd property.
He has been charged with their murder.
Family photos of Indiana and Savana, who were killed at Watsonia.
A friend of the girls’ mother, Amelia Price, has said she is struggling to come to grips with what has happened.
“It is such a tragic event,” the friend said. “Those kids are the mother’s world.”
It’s understood Ms Price and Mr Mihayo were married but split last year.
The little girls, aged 3 and 4, were described by friends as “the mother’s world”.
Mr Mihayo, 35, of Watsonia was arrested at the scene, and charged with two counts of murder during an out-of-court sessions hearing just before 1am.
It remains unclear whether police have found the weapon allegedly used but forensic investigators have not been on scene since 3am, and the clean-up is due to begin.
Two female deceased-estate cleaners, wearing white coveralls, entered the back unit of the property this morning.
Charles Mihayo has been charged with two counts of murder. Picture: Andrew Henshaw
They followed relatives who returned to the scene with their heads down at 9.30am.
The family has so far declined to comment.
Homicide squad detectives are at the property, and police continue to doorknock neighbours.
Police continue to doorknock neighbours this morning. Picture: Andrew Brownbill
DEATH OF SISTERS LEAVES A STREET TORN APART
Neighbours this morning said the little girls were “gorgeous, with coffee-coloured curls”.
Neighbour Linda Bassiere yesterday told the Herald Sun she heard a chilling scream just minutes before police arrived at 3pm.
Police outside the Watsonia home where two sisters died. Picture: Sarah Matray
Paramedics tried in vain for more than 40 minutes to revive the sisters but despite their best efforts they died at the scene.
Hardened police officers and other emergency services workers were moved to tears by the tragedy.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp said there were several family members inside the home at the time of the deaths.
Local resident Helen Temple leaves flowers outside the house. Picture: Andrew Brownbill
“This is a tragic set of circumstances that has impacted on the family,” he said.
“There were a number of family members there at the time.
“It’s naturally also impacted on friends, neighbours and the members of the fire brigade, emergency services and Victoria Police who attended the scene.
“I’ve heard here today a number of our police members have been in tears.
“There are some very upset people at the moment.”
Mr Crisp would not go into any details about how the girls died or if a weapon was used.
“The important thing at this stage is we have two young girls under the age of 10 who are deceased,” he said.
Mr Crisp said a Triple 0 call was made at 2.40pm, but he wouldn’t say if it was a family member or neighbour who made the call.
He would not confirm if the girls’ mother was there.
“I can’t get into details at the moment,” he said.
“It’s very early days in the investigation.”
The horrific deaths have shocked neighbours on the quiet street.
Several residents told the Herald Sun the property under police cordon was owned by the victims’ grandmother.
Neighbour Ms Bassiere said the girls were often dropped off by their father.
“The children came and visited her (their grandmother) regularly, usually dropped off by their father,’’ Ms Bassiere said.
“We heard a lady screaming, it is a bit confronting.’’
Local resident Helen Temple visited the street to lay a flower at the front of the house.
“It’s so awful. How can someone do this?” said Mrs Temple, who has a three-year-old daughter.
Mr Mihayo was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
Treasured family photos of the girls, Indiana and Savana. Source: Supplied
rebekah.cavanagh@news.com.au
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