Emergency services found the bodies of six-year-old Sam and seven-year-old Max in their house in Coonabarabran on Monday. Their maternal grandmother, 66-year-old Kathleen Heggs, is likely to be charged with double murder while investigation continues. Despite the misfortune, pain and agitation caused by this tragic incident, the family is determined to find some positive outcome.
All of this started when Sam and Max missed school last Monday. Alarmed officials reached out to Kathleen Heggs, who reportedly told them the boys were deceased. This shocking discovery created an immediate need for police intervention and inspired agile policing like a fast-acting investigation into what killed these boys far too soon.
Kathleen Heggs is still under police guard in a mental health facility in Orange. She has to stay there until she gets an acceptable level of health. From the experience of this recent incident, she has been able to share with police what happened inside their house. One month into the investigation, authorities have officially labeled the case a double homicide.
Only 11 months ago, Sam and Max relocated to Coonabarabran with their grandmother. This tragic incident occurred only weeks after their move-in. Friends and neighbors describe the boys as deeply committed to karate and soccer. Their absence is still deeply felt by all who knew and loved them. Our community has been deeply affected by this tragic loss and continues to struggle with that grief as we process and understand what happened.
Police are doing an extensive forensic analysis of the family’s home. Officers are expected to be on scene through Wednesday to fully process the scene. The post mortem examinations for Sam and Max are scheduled for Thursday. These mandatory investigations need to include a forensic autopsy, and they should provide key insights into the deaths surrounding their circumstances.
