Content warning: domestic violence, murder
Police have charged a 31-year-old man with two counts of murder after the bodies of a woman and her baby were found inside a Rockhampton home, in a scene officers have called “confronting”.
The man, Matthew Cox, turned himself into the Fortitude Valley police station in Brisbane on Thursday, allegedly telling officers he had killed his family.
Police said they went to a Bean Street home on Park Avenue just before 11 am on Thursday and found the bodies of 30-year-old Tayla Cox and her 11-week-old baby girl, Murphy Margaret Cox.
The 31-year-old father will face court today, having been charged with two counts of murder (domestic violence offences).
It’s alleged he flew from Rockhampton to Brisbane the same night his wife and baby had died on Tuesday. A car was seized from the Rockhampton Airport and is undergoing forensic examination.
Along with the crime scene at the Rockhampton home, a second crime scene has been established at an apartment in Fortitude Valley where police believe the man was staying.
The man was not previously known to police and there was no domestic violence history.
Police ruled out reports a gunshot had been heard at the address, and Detective Superintendent Darrin Shadlow told media the mother and baby had lacerations to their body.
“I will say that it was quite a confronting scene,” he said.
“There was a large amount of blood.”
Superintendent Shadlow said the next of kin had been notified and were expectedly “devastated”.
Matthew Cox’s parents released a statement saying the family was “in an absolute state of shock” and they had “not only lost a beautiful daughter-in-law Tayla but also our much loved granddaughter Murphy”.
On Thursday, Superintendent Shadlow said investigations were ongoing and a crime scene was expected to remain at the Rockhampton home for several days.
According to Destroy the Joint, Tayla is the 34th woman to be killed by violence in Australia this year.
If you or someone you know is in need of help due to sexual assault or family and domestic violence contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732
In an emergency call 000. Lifeline (13 11 14) and, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 13YARN (13 92 76)