Family photos of Indiana and Savana, who were killed at Watsonia.
Charles Mihayo has been charged with two counts of murder. Picture: Andrew Henshaw
Savannah, 4, and Indianna, 3.
Police outside the Watsonia home where two sisters died. Picture: Sarah Matray
In a statement, released through police, the mother said the family were “utterly devastated” at their loss.
She released images of her daughters, Savannah, 4, and Indianna, 3.
“We are utterly devastated at the loss of Savannah and Indianna,” the statement read.
“The girls will be forever missed, loved and never forgotten. We ask that the media please respect our privacy and allow us time to grieve.”
A friend said the girls were their mother’s world.
Indianna and Savannah were found dead at a relative’s home in Watsonia yesterday.
The man believed to be their father, Charles Mihayo, 35, lives in a granny flat at the back of the Longmuir Rd property.
He has been charged with their murder.
A friend of the girls’ mother has said she is struggling to come to grips with what has happened.
“It is such a tragic event,” the friend said. “Those kids are the mother’s world.”
It’s understood the mother and Mr Mihayo were married but split last year.
Mr Mihayo, 35, of Watsonia was arrested at the scene, and charged with two counts of murder during an out-of-court sessions hearing just before 1am.
It remains unclear whether police have found the weapon allegedly used but forensic investigators have not been on scene since 3am, and the clean-up is due to begin.
Two female deceased-estate cleaners, wearing white coveralls, entered the back unit of the property this morning.
They followed relatives who returned to the scene with their heads down at 9.30am.
The family has so far declined to comment.
Homicide squad detectives are at the property, and police continue to doorknock neighbours.
DEATH OF SISTERS LEAVES A STREET TORN APART
Neighbours this morning said the little girls were “gorgeous, with coffee-coloured curls”.
Neighbour Linda Bassiere yesterday told the Herald Sun she heard a chilling scream just minutes before police arrived at 3pm.
Paramedics tried in vain for more than 40 minutes to revive the sisters but despite their best efforts they died at the scene.
Hardened police officers and other emergency services workers were moved to tears by the tragedy.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp said there were several family members inside the home at the time of the deaths.
“This is a tragic set of circumstances that has impacted on the family,” he said.
“There were a number of family members there at the time.
“It’s naturally also impacted on friends, neighbours and the members of the fire brigade, emergency services and Victoria Police who attended the scene.
“I’ve heard here today a number of our police members have been in tears.
“There are some very upset people at the moment.”
Mr Crisp would not go into any details about how the girls died or if a weapon was used.
“The important thing at this stage is we have two young girls under the age of 10 who are deceased,” he said.
Mr Crisp said a Triple 0 call was made at 2.40pm, but he wouldn’t say if it was a family member or neighbour who made the call.
He would not confirm if the girls’ mother was there.
“I can’t get into details at the moment,” he said.
“It’s very early days in the investigation.”
The horrific deaths have shocked neighbours on the quiet street.
Several residents told the Herald Sun the property under police cordon was owned by the victims’ grandmother.
Neighbour Ms Bassiere said the girls were often dropped off by their father.
“The children came and visited her (their grandmother) regularly, usually dropped off by their father,’’ Ms Bassiere said.
“We heard a lady screaming, it is a bit confronting.’’
Local resident Helen Temple visited the street to lay a flower at the front of the house.
“It’s so awful. How can someone do this?” said Mrs Temple, who has a three-year-old daughter.
Mr Mihayo was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
Source: New Comou
13 comments:
NAULIZA HUYU NI MTANZANIA? JINA LAKE LINAONEKANA KAMA LA KIKWETU TZ, NA WATOTO WANAONEKANA MCHANGANYIKO WA RANGI.
UKATILI ULIOJE HUU, KAMA NDOA IMEKUPA KWA NINI WAINGIE WATOTO WADOGO HATIANI BILA IKIWA MAKOSA SIO YAO? WANAUME TUACHENI UKATILI UZOEFU UNAONYESHA WANAUME KUWA NA MATOKEO MENGI YA KINYAMA
Mtanzania
Please dont judge you dont know the specifics of this case allow mr mihayo to have his day in court please.
He doesn't deserve to be left alone, whatever happened he had no right to take away kids lives, I hate the so called psychological problem as a reason. If thaT the case kill yourself then
please dont Judge are u kidding me?
I hope somebody kills your family member, son or daughter i bet you wont say that #amout
No matter how hard the life is or any circumstances you're in, no body has an authority to take another human beings life. So he need to be judged and receive the price of his inhuman actions. May God almighty give the mother the courage to be strong and live again! So sad. May their precious souls rest in eternal peace . Amen
oooh my god; wazazi wa Charles mihayo wanaishi kahama, baba yake alifariki mwaka jana!
The girls were so pretty! My heart goes out to the mother n the family!! I hope whoever murdered them get what they deserve, may their souls RIP!
i cant imagine a grown up man can do that to beautiful innocent kids.It is too shocking too to learn a father can be a killer.I don't see any punishment which will match what he has done to the kids,even killing him is not enough.Let the kids rest in peace for God loved the the most.OH,ITS SHOCKING....
Yes m not kidding u
Ur forgetting that mr mihayo is a black man who can be framed for murder, (do you remember ruben carter, read about him then we will talk otherwise fall back) mstzzzz
Jaman huyu ni kaka yangu kabisa..na ajafanya ivyo amefremiwa n kunasababu za kua hivyo..na watoto pia yawezekana kuwa awajafariki!!kwani mmeona picha za hao marehem!!bali kwapamoja watanzania 2muombe YEHOVA kakangu aweze kuwa huru..
jamani uyu ni kaka yangu kabisa na amefremiwa..yan it 2complcated bt kwapamoja watanzania 2muombe YEHOVA ili apate kua huru..kwa ufupi ata hawo anko zangu awaja fariki kwani mmeona ata picha za marehemu kwenye 2kio au kwenye mazishi!!
Charles Amon Mihayo admitted in court that he did murder his 2 children.
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