Coonabarabran community holds candlelight vigil to mourn deaths of young brothers

Australia Broadcast Center

09-05-2025

Hundreds of residents of a small New South Wales town have gathered for a candlelight vigil to mourn the tragic deaths of two young brothers.
The bodies of the boys, aged six and seven, were found inside a Coonabarabran home on Monday after welfare concerns were reported to police.
As the sun set tonight about 200 members of the community gathered on the banks of the Castleraegh River to commemorate the brothers' short lives.
Members of the boys' karate class performed a traditional kata in honour of the brothers, who were due to receive their yellow belts this week.
Children released blue balloons into the sky as the ceremony drew to a close.
Community members left flowers and words of condolence at a makeshift memorial near the town's traditional yarning circle.
Organiser and Warrumbungle Shire councillor Kodi Brady said it was important for residents to support each other during such a difficult time.
"I think it's so important to bring community together for that next step in the grief process," he said.
"We are all in shock."
"If we have a vigil the community sees they're not alone and we can share this grief together and heal together and move forward."
"It's gut-wrenching, shocking, emotional," Cr Brady said.
The boys had been living in the Central West town for a little over a year, but Cr Brady said they had quickly made a mark.
"They were cute as buttons, little firecrackers — they were involved in everything, soccer karate, running around the schoolyard," he said.
People left flowers, toy cars, teddy bears and letters addressed to the boys at the makeshift memorial.
Earlier this week the boys' karate teacher called off her class out of respect for the brothers, who were keen students.
On Monday police rushed to the boys' house and forced their way inside.
The brothers' maternal grandmother, who police said had "attempted self-harm", was arrested.
The incident is being treated as a double homicide.
The 66-year-old woman was taken to hospital under police guard.
She has been transferred to a mental health facility in Orange and is expected to face charges once she is returned to police custody.