Latest news with #KathyHeggs
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Huge development after two young boys were found dead at a home in Coonabarabran - as devastated parents break their silence
A grandmother has been charged with the alleged double murders of two schoolboys in NSW's west as their devastated parents share a heartfelt tribute. Sam, six, and Max, seven, were found dead at a semi-rural property on the outskirts of Coonabarabran in northwest NSW on Monday afternoon. Police charged the boys' 66-year-old maternal grandmother, Kathy Heggs, with two counts of murder. She was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday. It's understood the 66-year-old remains in a mental health facility in Orange. It comes as the parents of the young boys said they 'adored each other' in a heartbreaking tribute to their sons. The boys were removed from the care of Samantha Heggs and Troy Johnson, about four years ago. Mr Johnson revealed Sam had recently beat cancer. 'What he went through, the pain, the way he beat that cancer. He's my hero,' the grief-stricken father told 9News. On Monday afternoon, two officers went to the home after a message sent to the communities and justice department triggered an emergency response. The officers broke into the house to find the boys' bodies in separate bedrooms, while their grandmother was nearby. The woman was taken to Orange Police Station after she was released from hospital on Friday. A crime scene was established, and officers from the Orana mid-western police district and detectives from the state's homicide squad have commenced an investigation. Grieving members of a small rural community gathered to honour the lives of the two boys on Friday. A tree was to be planted for each boy, along with a ceremonial presentation of the karate students' yellow belts. Warrumbungle Shire councillor Kodi Brady told AAP he hoped the vigil would help the community cope with the tragedy. 'It's a really important part, to take the community on the stepping stone of healing from the shock of the incident to another step forward in the grief and loss process,' he said. 'We're a small rural town, there is such a ripple effect... it has impacted the whole community.' Lifeline 13 11 14
News.com.au
09-05-2025
- News.com.au
Parents of boys allegedly killed by their grandmother paid tribute as murder charges are laid
The parents of two boys who were allegedly killed by their grandmother in Coonabarabran this week have paid tribute to their sons, just as the police announce murder charges in the case. Samantha Heggs and Troy Johnson told Nine News brothers Max, seven, and Sam, six, were extremely close and adored each other. Nine reported the parents lost custody of their sons who were removed by the Department of Communities and Justice about four years ago. Mr Johnson said Max was never sick and was always happy and healthy. 'He was the happiest little kid he never cried, even as a baby he didn't cry,' he said. '(Sam's) the toughest little kid I've met, the way he went through the pain, the way he beat that cancer, he's my hero.' A candlelit vigil was held in memory of two boys whose bodies were found in a home in regional northwest NSW. Max and Sam were found inside a home in Coonabarabran by police conducting a welfare check on Monday. The boys' 66-year old grandmother Kathy Heggs was arrested at the scene and taken to a mental health facility in Orange. Police believe the grandmother 'attempted to self-harm' before she was arrested and taken to hospital. The tribute comes as the police lay charges against the 66-year-old. The police have charged Ms Heggs with two counts of murder over the death of her two grandsons. She was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday. A crime scene has been established and officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District have commenced an investigation under Strike Force Darnum, assisted by detectives from State Crime Command's Homicide Squad.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Huge development after two young boys were tragically killed in a house fire in Coonabarabran - as devastated parents break their silence
A grandmother has been charged with the alleged double murders of two schoolboys in NSW's west as their devastated parents share a heartfelt tribute. Sam, six, and Max, seven, were found dead at a semi-rural property on the outskirts of Coonabarabran in northwest NSW on Monday afternoon. Police charged the boys' 66-year-old maternal grandmother, Kathy Heggs, with two counts of murder. She was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday. It's understood the 66-year-old remains in a mental health facility in Orange. It comes as the parents of the young boys said they 'adored each other' in a heartbreaking tribute to their sons. The boys were removed from the care of Samantha Heggs and Troy Johnson, four years ago. Mr Johnson revealed Sam had recently beat cancer. 'What he went through, the pain, the way he beat that cancer. He's my hero,' the grief-stricken father told 9News. On Monday afternoon, two officers went to the home after a message sent to the communities and justice department triggered an emergency response. The officers broke into the house to find the boys' bodies in separate bedrooms, while their grandmother was nearby. She was arrested and taken to hospital. The woman was taken to Orange Police Station after she was released from hospital on Friday. A crime scene was established, and officers from the Orana mid-western police district and detectives from the state's homicide squad have commenced an investigation. Grieving members of a small rural community gathered to honour the lives of the two boys on Friday. A tree was to be planted for each boy, along with a ceremonial presentation of the karate students' yellow belts. Warrumbungle Shire councillor Kodi Brady told AAP he hoped the vigil would help the community cope with the tragedy. 'It's a really important part, to take the community on the stepping stone of healing from the shock of the incident to another step forward in the grief and loss process,' he said. 'We're a small rural town, there is such a ripple effect... it has impacted the whole community.'
