Father and Daughter Found Deceased in Parramatta River
A Sydney father was found dead in the Parramatta River alongside his six-year-old daughter on Saturday, after he had reportedly hired a boat multiple times in the preceding week. The pair were discovered on the water near Concord in the city’s inner west.
Emergency services were alerted to a body in the water shortly before midday. Responders pulled a 47-year-old man, whose identity is being withheld, onto a rented vessel. Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 5:30 PM, the body of a six-year-old girl, believed to be his daughter, was recovered from the river by police divers.
Investigation Focuses on Alleged Murder-Suicide
Sources indicate that the man had rented a boat on several occasions throughout the past week, including once with his wife. Investigators are examining the possibility that these trips were used to plan a murder-suicide, according to information obtained.
Analysis of CCTV footage from a nearby waterfront property is understood to have captured the man allegedly throwing the girl into the river before entering the water himself. Reports also suggest that neither the man nor the child could swim.
Police divers conducted an extensive search for nearly seven hours to locate and recover the girl’s body, with the CCTV footage reportedly aiding in pinpointing her location.
Official Statements and Community Impact
NSW Police stated that the man had no prior history with authorities, and no apprehended violence orders were in place. Superintendent Christine McDonald confirmed that the man hired the vessel on the day of the incident.
“We do know that the man that we’ve located hired the vessel today, and that is all forming part of our inquiries,” Superintendent McDonald told reporters on Saturday afternoon. She added that a friend of the man had contacted police expressing concerns for both his and the child’s welfare around 12:30 PM on Saturday. Tragically, the man was found deceased just before 11:45 AM.
Superintendent McDonald described the event as “an absolute tragedy for the family and the community on every level.” She indicated that the investigation is exploring all possibilities, including whether the incident was deliberate and if family violence played a role. “There are several lines of inquiry currently under way,” she stated. “But can I say from the outset, this is an absolute tragedy for the family and the community on every level. We will leave no stone unturned.”
The girl’s mother is reportedly assisting detectives with their inquiries and is not accused of any wrongdoing. She is said to have given a statement to investigators. The investigation will also include a thorough search of the rented boat.
Seeking Information and Support
Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Burwood police or Crime Stoppers.
For those in need of support, the following services are available:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- beyondblue: 1300 22 4636
- 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
