Son is killed by father in murder-suicide while mother talks of her grief

The mother of an Australian boy who was killed by his father before taking his own life has spoken out afterward, describing her son’s death as an “evil and cowardly act of violence.”

On the night of May 19, Dr Sophie Roome’s two-year-old son Rowan was found dead in a flat in East Lismore, New South Wales, next to the body of his father James Harrison, 38, reports News Corp Australia.

Harrison is believed to have planned the murder and suicide by installing a system that pumped gas into his apartment, New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said at a press conference in May, News Corp Australia reports.

The child’s death left his mother deeply saddened.

“Rowan’s life was ended by an evil and cowardly act of violence, perpetrated by the person he could have trusted most,” Roome said in a statement in May along with other family members, ABC North Coast reports.

“There is no excuse for this pain and no end to the hurt he has caused,” the statement continued. “We are devastated. We will love and miss Rowan forever.”

The tragedy came to light when Roome called police and asked them to check on the welfare of Harrison and Rowan because Harrison had failed to bring the boy home from a scheduled visit to the custody facility that day, News Corp Australia reports.

Rowan lived with Roome but had scheduled visits with his father, abc.net.au reports.

Roome called police at 5:30 p.m. that day and said Harrison was supposed to bring Rowan home at 4:30 p.m.

Police tried for hours to reach Harrison after he failed to respond to calls or knocks on the door. At 9:45 p.m., officers forced their way into the apartment.

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“It was father and son, you couldn’t imagine a more tragic event,” Thurtell said, ABC North Coast reports.

In July 2023, Roome obtained a domestic violence restraining order against Harrison, which is still in effect to protect her and Rowan, Thurtell said, ABC North Coast reports.

In a GoFundMe campaign to help Roome, organizer Belinda Olding wrote: “Rowan was an adorable little boy, full of joy and love for his family and friends. He loved the beach, music and swimming.”

Olding added: “Rowan’s family is devastated. No child should be killed by those who should love and protect them.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in more than 170 languages.