Latest news with #PortStephens
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Bombshell new details revealed after two young boys found dead in their grandmother's house - rocking a regional Aussie community to its core
Two young boys found dead on a country NSW property had allegedly been drugged before they were smothered, an autopsy has revealed. Max and Sam Johnson, aged six and seven, were discovered in their Coonabarabran home, in northwest NSW, on May 5. Their grandmother Kathleen Heggs, 66, was subsequently charged with their murder. Police have now revealed a post-mortem examination carried out on the two boys' bodies found traces of a prescription medication in their systems, according to the Daily Telegraph. Police will allege Ms Heggs gave her young grandsons the medications before suffocating them with a pillow. The brothers were asleep in separate bedrooms of Ms Heggs' rural property when the alleged murders took place. Max and Sam's biological parents Troy and Samantha Johnson are making final plans for their sons' funeral this week, which is to be held in Port Stephens. Ms Heggs was the sole carer for the two boys and they had moved from near Port Stephens to Coonabarabran about a year ago. Mr and Mrs Johnson had not seen the boys for five years prior to their deaths. The boys' father revealed he and his wife decided to let Ms Heggs take care of their sons as they had been struggling with mental health issues. 'This is not how we were meant to get them back,' Mr Johnson said. 'We are completely broken... but those boys deserve a good send off, and that's what we are going to give them.' Mr Johnson said he was grateful to Coonabarabran locals for sharing their happy memories of his sons. The boys will be buried in their karate uniforms, along with the yellow belts they were set to receive the week they were allegedly killed. Last month, police raced to the Coonabarabran property after Ms Heggs allegedly sent a text message to the boys' school to say her the two boys were dead and she intended to take her own life. After arriving at the farm, police forced their way into the home and found the boys' bodies in different rooms and the woman suffering self-inflicted injuries. Ms Heggs was treated in a mental health facility for several days following the boys' death before being charged with two counts of murder. Tragically, the devastated grandfather of the boys told Daily Mail Australia he only discovered that his grandsons were dead when he heard it on the news. 'I had to find out off the news about what happened to them,' he said. He also said he was upset pictures of the boys had been circulated through the media. 'The photos should never have been released - because they were minors - that was wrong and it has been very upsetting.' Ms Heggs has not entered pleas and she will front court on July 10. NSW Police have been contacted for comment.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
A driver won a $150,000 4WD in a giveaway... then they watched it all go up in flames
A driver who won a $150,000 4WD in a giveaway has been forced to watch their prize go up in flames after it caught fire on a beach. The Toyota GR 300 Series Land Cruiser had been part of a convoy exploring the coastal track at Stockton Beach in Port Stephens, NSW. A nearby beach-goer captured the vehicle on camera moments later stranded in the sand as flames completely gutted the interior. The 4WD, estimated to be worth around $150,000, was the first prize given away in a 2023 competition that had been run by Motor Culture Australia. The footage was shared to TikTok and showed only a smouldering frame of the vehicle remained. 'Imagine winning a brand new 300 Series Land Cruiser worth $150k... and this is how it ends,' the caption read. A Motor Culture Australia spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia they were aware of the incident. Motor Culture Australia said 'the safety of our community is our top priority, and we take matters like this incredibly seriously.' 'At this stage, the exact cause of the incident is unknown.' 'We have contacted local authorities and have formally reached out to the relevant emergency departments to understand more about what occurred.' Motor Culture Australia has launched its own investigation into the footage. Fire and Rescue NSW was approached for comment by Daily Mail Australia. Motor Culture Australia calls itself a 'premier' community for motoring enthusiasts, and was founded in August of 2020 by Tom Mcpherson and Thomas Fu. Both were just 21 years old at the time. Members of the organisation have access to discounts, events, meet-ups and a lottery, which offers expensive and luxury vehicles as a prize. Membership to Motor Culture Australia starts at $10 for a single entry, and goes all the way up to $400 for 200 entries. Huge smoke was seen billowing from the $150,000 vehicle on Stockton Beach in Port Stephens Motor Culture Australia's co-founders Thomas Fu (left) & Tom Mcpherson (right) Motor Culture Australia revealed at the time they had revamped the car, saying they worked with 'industry experts' to make it 'even better'. 'It features a custom Meredith Metalworks exhaust and stainless steel snorkel, as well as Superior Engineering mods, Offroad Animal bull bar and light bar, and Method Racing Wheels,' they added.
