Latest news with #KodiBrady
ABC News
09-05-2025
- ABC News
Coonabarabran community holds candlelight vigil to mourn deaths of young brothers
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.
The Age
06-05-2025
- Health
- The Age
Coonabarabran: Children removed from parents before alleged murder
The grandmother was the sole carer of the children, Holland said. They moved to Coonabarabran 11 months ago from the state's Central Coast. Holland said the small town with a population of just 2500 was coming to terms with the boys' deaths. Something like this would affect the community 'in a very, very hard way,' he said. 'A death in a small community has an impact on the whole community, the death of two young innocent boys has a major impact.' Loading The Department of Communities and Justice became involved in the children's care due to concerns for their welfare several years ago. One of the boys had diagnosed with cancer, sources told the Herald . They were removed from their parents, who live elsewhere in the state, towards the end of the COVID pandemic. The boys were then put under the care of the minister and placed with their grandmother in what is called kinship care. There are no other children in the family. The boys' biological parents had been informed and were not doing well, Holland said. 'Anyone confronted with the death of one child under these circumstances, let alone two, would be struggling,' he said. There were 'no warning signs' ahead of the tragedy, one police source said, and the grandmother had no criminal background or documented history of mental health concerns. 'She was known to police, but not adversely,' Holland said. She and the children lived at the home with her partner, who was not present at the time of the tragedy. Warrumbungle Shire councillor Kodi Brady described the boys as two 'little firecracker kids'. Credit: Nine In a social media post describing the boys as two 'little firecracker kids', Warrumbungle Shire councillor Kodi Brady said his 'heart is broken alongside the whole community'. 'They were amongst it all, 100 miles an hour ... wild as march hares and cute as buttons! So devastating for all,' Brady wrote. If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (and see 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. Start the day with a summary of the day's most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
ABC News
05-05-2025
- ABC News
Coonabarabran community in shock after death of two boys aged 6 and 7
A small community in north-west New South Wales remains in shock today after two young boys were found dead inside a home at Coonabarabran. Police went to the house yesterday afternoon after receiving a "concern for welfare" report. They discovered the bodies of two boys aged six and seven. A 66-year-old woman who was at the house and who the ABC understands is their grandmother was arrested at the scene and remains in hospital under police guard. 'Devastating for all' The news has rocked the close-knit community. Warrumbungle Shire councillor Kodi Brady posted on his Facebook page that his "heart was broken, alongside the whole community". "Two little firecracker kids," he said. "They were amongst it all 100 miles an hour … and cute as buttons. "So devastating for all." Warrumbungle Shire councillor Kodi Brady said the death of two young boys at Coonabarabran was "devastating for all". ( Supplied: Warrumbungle Shire Council ) At this stage police have not laid any charges in relation to the incident, and say there is no ongoing threat to the community. Homicide squad detectives have been called in to help with the investigation. Coonabarabran, 140 kilometres north-east of Dubbo, has a population of about 2,300. More to come. ABC Western Plains — local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Friday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
