Chilling new details have emerged in the case of Trish Smith, who has been charged with the alleged murder of her two young sons, Ben, 9, and Russell, 11, in their Blue Mountains home in Faulconbridge, New South Wales. Court documents reveal that the boys may have been killed up to 17 hours before their father, Nick Smith, discovered their bodies and called emergency services. Police suspect the boys were murdered between 7:30 p.m. on Monday and 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Nick, who did not live at the family home but had access to it, made the devastating discovery on Tuesday afternoon. Trish Smith, found with self-inflicted wounds, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder after being released from the hospital on Friday. She did not apply for bail during her first court appearance on Saturday, where she appeared via video link wearing a hospital gown with her arm in a cast. Her lawyer, Paul McGirr, described the case as an “absolute tragedy.”
Police are investigating whether Trish Smith may have suffered a psychotic episode at the time of the killings. Although there were no prior reports of domestic violence at the home, the scene deeply impacted police officers, with some noting the emotional toll given that many officers have children of similar ages to the victims. Superintendent John Nelson called it “as tragic as it gets for any police veteran.”
The local community of Faulconbridge is in shock, with Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the two boys, describing them as “precious souls.” The boys’ father released a statement describing Ben and Russell as “happy, funny, outgoing boys” who loved sports, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.
As the investigation continues, police are working to piece together the boys’ movements from their last known day at school on Monday to the time of their deaths. Trish Smith will return to court on November 8, as the community mourns the loss and grapples with the senseless tragedy.
