A woman and her 8-year-old daughter were found dead at an Australian Airbnb. The bodies were discovered shortly after midday on Monday when police visited a luxury short-term rental in Kenmore Hills, Brisbane, for a welfare check. Australian news says that when officers went to the backyard of the Tinarra Crescent residence, they saw the bodies of an adult and a child.
Police later confirmed the victims were a 54-year-old woman from Norman Park and her daughter. Police believe that the pair were in an act of murder-suicide. This theory is apparently supported by an alleged email that was reportedly sent by the mother. Reports say the delayed email was sent to someone close to the mother, indicating the danger. This led to the police being notified and the welfare check being conducted.
A Queensland Police spokesperson reassured the public that there was no existing threat to the community. The statement also confirmed that “A crime scene has been declared, and investigations are underway into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.”
Neighbours described the area as a safe, peaceful community where nothing of this nature had ever happened before. One resident, Dirk Vandenbrouke, explained that the neighbourhood houses mostly retired people, and while there have been some burglaries in the last few years, there have not been any deaths.
The home where the discovery was made has drawn additional attention because of its status as a high-end Airbnb. The property meets the Mount Coot-tha Forest. Guests were required to book a minimum of five nights at the residence, which was listed for more than $1,000 a night.
In the listing, the Airbnb is described as a “peaceful luxury escape”. In 2022, the property was sold for $2.5 million, and since the incident, the listing has been removed, making it unavailable as the investigation proceeds.
Vandenbrouke told the local news that he was unaware the house was being rented out. “I didn’t even know it was an Airbnb until yesterday,” he said.
Police are now appealing to anyone who may have information or relevant footage to assist in the investigation.