Tragic Discovery Off South Australia Coast Leaves Family’s Fate Even More Heartbreaking
The deaths of a woman and her two-year-old daughter on South Australia’s coast are being treated as a murder-suicide, police have revealed.
The bodies of Compton woman Helena Wright, 36, and her daughter were pulled from the ocean near Port MacDonnell on Monday.
Locals had found a vehicle abandoned with its engine still running nearby.
Ms Wright’s three-month-old son is still missing, with authorities continuing the search on Wednesday.
Superintendent Trent Cox said the infant was with his mother earlier in the day on Monday, but that the likelihood of him now being found alive was “zero”.
“The reality is after three days … the chances of finding the baby alive are zero, sadly,” he said.
“It’s a retrieval effort, but we don’t know where he is.
Helena Wright and her 2yo daughter were pulled from the ocean in Port MacDonnell. Picture: Instagram
“We will still continue to scour the foreshore in the coming days and possibly weeks.”
Police do not believe anyone else was involved.
“At this time, there is no information to suggest that any person other than the mother and her two children were involved in this heartbreaking incident,” a statement said.
The deaths are now being investigated as a murder-suicide.
Superintendent Cox said Ms Wright’s husband and the children’s father had been informed.
He said he told the search crew to “look after yourselves, look after your loved ones”.
“Give your kids an extra tight hug,” Superintendent Cox said.
“(The deaths will) affect the community whether they have children or not because the deaths of such young children and a mother in these circumstances is tragic on so many levels.
“So just wrap your arms around everyone.”
Detective Inspector Cox said the likelihood of finding the infant was ‘zero’. Picture: SA Police
He said a team of psychologists and medical staff would be in Mt Gambier for the next two days to offer support to those who need it.
“Two days doesn’t represent the end of that support,” he said.
“It’s on the ground – they are 24/7 resources for as long as any member needs it.”
Police are continuing to search for the woman’s three-month-old son. Picture: SA Police
The search is continuing on Wednesday, with specialist police units joined by SES and volunteers operating on land, sea and air.
Crew from the Adelaide-based Country Fire Service will join the search in the afternoon, where police will decide if they will continue the search for the infant as conditions remain “not favourable”.
“We’ve been able to … get an aerial drone up,” he said.
“We did consider the use of an underwater drone but once again the water conditions are not favourable for that.”
Police thanked the search volunteers for their efforts to find the missing infant.
“We are extremely grateful to the dedicated SES members, volunteers and SAPOL personnel who have worked tirelessly throughout the investigation and search operation,” a statement read.
“Their professionalism, commitment and compassion during these difficult circumstances have been invaluable.”
