Police have pulled a body and a firearm from the Lockhart dam after a woman and her three children were found shot dead in their home.
UPDATE: The man’s body and the firearm were recovered from a dam where police divers had been searching for Geoff Hunt.
Hunt, a sheep and grain farmer went missing after the bodies of his wife, Kim and three children Fletcher, 10, Mia, 8, and Phoebe, 6, were found shot dead at the family’s Riverina property near Wagga Wagga.
It is reported that divers entered the dam at about 1.45pm on Wednesday and pulled a body from the muddy water about half an hour later.
Superintendent Bob Noble told reporters police aren’t currently looking for anyone else in connection with the four deaths.
“At this stage, as a result of that development, we are treating this matter as a coronial investigation (and) there will be a brief compiled for the benefit of the coroner,” Noble said.
Police confirmed they found a suicide note on the property.
EARLIER: A woman and her three children have been found dead on their property near Lockhart, about 60 kilometres west of Wagga Wagga.
The woman has been identified as Kim Hunt, the wife of a well-known local wheat farmer who is now missing and the subject of a police search, and her three children – Fletcher, 10, Mia, 8 and Phoebe, 6.
The children’s bodies were discovered inside the couple’s home, located on the Boree Creek Road while Mrs Hunt’s body was discovered outside. Autopsies are being performed today, but police believe all four died from gunshot wounds.
Police have cordoned off the property, known as Watch Hill, and are searching for Geoffrey Hunt, 44, a member of a prominent farming family in the area. Latest reports refer to a suicide note found on the property.
The family’s three children all attended St Joseph’s Primary School in Lockhart, a small rural community of just 900 people.
The close-knit local community is said to be devastated by the news of the deaths.
Lockhart Mayor Peter Yates said the grain farming family had lived in the district a long time and the town was at a loss over the tragedy.
“It’s been devastating,” he said. “No one can understand it.
“It’s mind-boggling that these young lives could be cut so short. Everyone wants to know why,” he said.
Specialist police investigators have been at the farm most of the night and police divers will search dams on the property today.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline 131 114 or the Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.
