The bodies of Pranav Vivekanandan (pictured), eight, and his mother and brother were discovered over the weekend in Yerrabi Pond in Gungahlin, north of Canberra.
A triple drowning drama where the lifeless bodies of a mother and her two young sons were pulled from a pond is now being treated as a murder-suicide.
The bodies of Pranav Vivekanandan, eight, and his mother and brother were discovered this weekend in Yerrabi Pond in Gungahlin, north of Canberra.
Pranav’s body was found in the pond around 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, while his two other relatives were found Saturday morning.
The investigation into the deaths continues, but Daily Mail Australia understands that detectives do not believe the tragedy was an accident.
The father of the two boys has been spoken to by police and officials do not believe he had any involvement.
The photo shows officers searching the Yerabi Pond near Gungahlin in the ACT in search of the boy after the bodies of a woman and another boy were found in the water early Saturday.
A white Subaru was towed from the crime scene after it was parked by the pond
The nearby Harrison School confirmed that the two boys were students.
“We are currently looking after each other and working together to support students, staff and families,” the school said.
“The Harrison School directorate and team have many services and support on the ground to help everyone through this very difficult time.”
Director Andy Mison sent a letter to the parents on Sunday informing them that counseling services would be offered.
“It is with great sadness that I inform you that two of our students and a parent were unexpectedly killed in a tragic incident this weekend,” he wrote.
“Our thoughts are with their family and friends.
Police and divers were seen at Yerrabi Pond on Saturday before the eight-year-old’s body was found
Investigation of the dead continues (police photographed on site)
“Today, and in the coming weeks, you may be concerned about your child’s reaction or expression of feelings about this news. These reactions and feelings can be part of the grieving process.’
ACT police are investigating the circumstances of the three deaths and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
“At this stage, the police do not believe that any other party was involved,” the police said in a statement.
Officers found the bodies of the woman and another boy on Saturday after a witness saw them in the water.
Investigators later found a white Subaru in a nearby parking lot that locals said had been parked there since 4 a.m.
A local resident, Rod, said he saw the car blocking the entrance gate to the park around that time.
“I opened the gate and saw that it was unlocked with a child seat in the back.
“I actually opened the door to see if it had keys (not keys) in it, to move for access.”
A police officer is seen scouring the pond on a jet ski before the third body was discovered
State emergency services and about 30 police officers took part in the operation
A passerby called police on Saturday morning after seeing a body in the lake.
Police spent hours searching for Pranav on Saturday afternoon and specialized divers resumed the desperate search early Sunday morning.
“It is clearly a tragic situation,” Chief Inspector Hall O’Meagher told reporters on Saturday.
“We are inquiring with the families of these deceased people. They are currently helping us with our questions.
“Our thoughts go out to them and also to the responding police who have had to deal with this tragic circumstance.”
Police said they do not believe another party was involved in the incident (photos carried out at the scene)
Several state emergency services officials and about 30 police officers took part in the operation.
“It’s a harrowing situation for the first responders – the police, SES and all the services we rely on to provide us with the help we need in these circumstances – but rest assured we have welfare support to help those officers come today and in the days to come.” said Detective O’Meagher.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
For confidential crisis support, contact Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Divers are pictured seeking the water while other officers scour the surrounding bushland