VIDEO | Police appeal for public assistance into father-son death

ROSSVILLE TRAGEDY



UPDATE:

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner into the deaths of 45-year-old Troy Harvey and his four-year-old son, Koah, after a suspected murder-suicide at Rossville in Far North Queensland on Friday.


Detectives are continuing to appeal for public assistance with officers wanting to speak with anyone who had contact with Mr Harvey in the weeks leading up to Friday, September 4, and who have not already contacted police.

Detective Inspector Jason Smith said this has been a distressing investigation for all persons involved with first responders attempting to perform CPR on the child for a significant amount of time before pronouncing him dead at the scene.

“This investigation is ongoing, and we are trying to put together the pieces to identify how this horrifying event could have occurred,” he said.

“It is my intention to present a comprehensive brief to the coroner so a determination can be made in regard to the cause of death and what we as a community can do to prevent these sorts of thing happing in the future.”

See Detective Inspector Jason Smith appeal to the public below:


EARLIER:


Detectives investigating the deaths of a 45-year-old man and 4-year-old boy at Rossville, south of Cooktown on Friday, in a suspected murder-suicide, are appealing for community assistance as they continue investigations.

Police officers attended a River Road property in Rossville around 10:00am where they discovered the bodies of Troy Harvey and his son, Koah. Despite continued efforts by officers and paramedics both were declared deceased.

A police spokesperson said a 36-year-old woman had contacted police on Friday morning to report an assault the previous night by the 45-year-old man.

Two crime scenes established at the River Road property and another local residence were examined as part of investigations.

Police are piecing together a timeline of events and are seeking public assistance to fully understand the circumstances leading up to the deaths.

Detective Inspector Jason Smith said investigators are seeking the assistance of anyone who may have had contact with Troy Harvey between 28 August and 4 September.

“In particular police wish to speak to the driver of a silver vehicle that attended Mr Harvey’s address in River Road on the morning of Friday, September 4, 2020,” Detective Inspector Smith said.

“People in Rossville have been devastated by these tragic events, I would personally like to thank them for the enormous amount of assistance they have provided to police.”

Investigations are continuing.

Koah’s heartbroken mother posted an emotional tribute on social media on Saturday, saying: “Let the people you love know you love them as they can be taken from you.

“I’m so sorry Koah l couldn’t save you. Love you forever.”

If you have information for police, contact Policelink at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day or call 1800 333 000.

If you or anyone you know needs help contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890



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