Body, gun found in dam where family massacred

Police press conference following tragic deaths of mother and three kids at a Lockhart property near Wagga Wagga, as search for one man continues.

Police at the scene of the property where four bodies were found. Picture: Dimmex Source: Diimex

A BODY has been pulled from a dam where police divers have been searching for Geoff Hunt, the farmer whose wife and children were shot dead in their home this week.

The body and a firearm were recovered about 2.30pm.

Superintendent Bob Noble said police weren't looking for anyone else in connection with the four deaths. "At this stage, as a result of that development, we are treating this matter as a coronial investigation (and) there will be a brief compiled for the benefit of the coroner," he said.

Police have confirmed a suicide note was found on the property. It has not been established if the gun found this afternoon was the one used to kill the Hunt family.

Officers are continuing to search through paddocks surrounding the family home.

The Hunt family. Photo: The Daily Advertiser Source: Supplied

A spokesman at the Lockhart Hospital, Ken Hameso, out the front of the hospital where Kim Hunt worked. Police are investigating the discovery of the bodies of a woman and three children at a rural property in the stateÕs south in Lockhart, NSW. Picture: Adam Taylor Source: News Corp Australia

EARLIER:

In the days before his family were gunned down and he disappeared there was no hint there was anything troubling Geoff Hunt.

A prominent businessman told news.com.au of seeing him last week at a cropping meeting where he appeared "completely normal".

"There was absolutely no indication that anything was wrong or that anything like this was about to happen. He appeared to be in fine spirits. He's a lovely guy, very easy going and he seemed happy and perfectly normal.

"The cropping meeting was about the frost, which was worse this year than it has been in the past. Geoff was worried about the frost but he hadn't lost anything. I mean, all of the farmers are in the same boat and he certainly hadn't fared any worse than anyone else.''

Police have focused their search for Mr Hunt, 44, on a dam on their rural property 60km west of Wagga Wagga, near where a ute was found abandoned.

The ribbons tied to the ballard out the front of the Lockhart Hospital where Kim Hunt worked Police are investigating the discovery of the bodies of a woman and three children at a rural property in the stateÕs south in Lockhart, NSW. Picture: Adam Taylor Source: News Corp Australia

Divers will search the dam while another crime scene has been established at the house where the bodies of four family members were found yesterday afternoon.

His wife Kim Hunt, 41, was found on the path at the rear of the home while their three children Fletcher, 10, Mia, eight, and Phoebe, six, were found inside.

All suffered from gunshot wounds.

The family were no strangers to tragedy even before yesterday's gruesome discovery. They had been struggling since a horrific car accident in 2012 almost killed Mrs Hunt.

Her car flipped twice during the accident leaving her with a broken neck and a head injury.

Daughter Phoebe, who was 4 at the time, escaped with only minor injuries.

The head trauma was so bad Mrs Hunt was initially in a coma and then suffered amnesia for weeks after the accident, placing even more strain on the family.

Police divers are to search this dam as part of their investigation into the Hunt family massacre Source: News Corp Australia

A ute found abandoned at the Moree Creek property. Picture: Dimmex Source: Supplied

After the car accident, Mrs Hunt was unable to walk and even eating and drinking was difficult. But just as hard for her was not being able to work as a nurse at the Lockhart Multi Purpose Service, a job where she cherished helping people.

Police are continuing to investigate the tragedy at Boree Creek Road Lockhart. Photo by Simon Dallinger. Source: News Corp Australia

But by all accounts it was her determination and fighting spirit — coupled with the love and support of her husband — that got her through the ordeal.

By the time of the shootings she had made huge progress and was on the road to recovery.

Mr Hunt, who is now the subject of a manhunt, reportedly looked after her and didn't leave her side the entire time she was in a coma.

But the strain had taken its toll on him and the family. He admitted to local media the year had its "ups and downs" but was full of praise for what his wife had overcome.

The tragedy has rocked the close-knit community. Source: Supplied

Speaking to reporters this morning, Wagga Wagga police commander Bob Noble revealed the murders could have occurred early on Tuesday or even on Monday.

The state of the bodies had disturbed even the most senior, experienced investigators.

"It's a horrific scene," Mr Noble said.

Mrs Hunt's body was found on a path at the back of the house. The bodies of her children were discovered inside.

He could not confirm reports a suicide note had been found.

A member of the public alerted police to the tragedy. It's believed someone went to the house after the children didn't turn up to school.

Lockhart Deputy Mayor Rodger Schirmer told news.com.au the tragedy had rocked the close-knit community who were still reeling from the loss of a wonderful family.

He said the deaths affected everybody in the town of 900 people with tentacles of the tragedy reaching out into the shire as well.

"It's just devastating," Mr Schirmer said.

The community is still reeling after the tragedy. Photo by Simon Dallinger. Source: News Corp Australia

"Everybody knows everybody here, the three children all went to St Jospeh's and this family were heavily involved in the community."

Cr Schrimer said the family had farmed land in the area for four generations and there appeared to be little no indication that anything was wrong.

"It's completely unexpected," he said.

"Something like this has just come out of the blue and is an incredible tragedy."

The car accident rocked the family.

"She was severely injured," he said of Mrs Hunt.

"She was a very tenacious person who fought her way back and even gained employment in the health service again."

He added it had been a good year for farmers in the area and nobody yet had answers as to how this tragedy unfolded.

The chief executive of Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD), Jill Ludford, said Mrs Hunt was "much-loved" by her colleagues.

"Kim was appointed to the position of Clinical Nurse Educator at Lockhart MPS in April this year following recovery from a serious car accident two years ago."

There had been doubt over whether she would return to nursing, but Ms Ludford said she had been "very excited to still be able to use her skills and knowledge to educate other nurses".

Before the accident, Kim worked in the Intensive Care Unit of Wagga Wagga Base Hospital for 15 years.

A posting on a whiteboard at Lockhart hospital where Mrs Hunt worked as a nurse. Source: Supplied

Co-workers would remember her as " a bubbly, positive, caring and passionate nurse who was dedicated to patient care".

Mrs Hunt recently spoke at a Patient Centred Care forum attended by MLHD clinicians and used her experience as a patient to stress the need to talk to, touch and be kind to patients.

"Her death is a huge loss and she will be greatly missed by all of her colleagues and friends," Ms Ludford said.

The family's three children all attended St Joseph's School, Lockhart.

In a statement issued today on behalf of the school, staff, teachers and the teaching community expressed their sadness and devastation at the loss of three young students.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Kim Hunt and her children Fletcher, Mia and Phoebe at Boree Creek, near Lockhart yesterday," it said.

"We pray for the family, friends, and the whole of St Joseph's Primary school and the Lockhart community.

"The Lockhart community is a very strong and resilient one and we know that they will bond together and support one another in working through this difficult time."

Counsellors will be available on site to provide any support to children affected by the tragedy and school representatives will attend a community meeting this afternoon to discuss ongoing community based support, the statement said.

If you need help, contact Lifeline on 131 114, 24 hours a day, or visit the website. https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Police are investigating the discovery of the bodies of a woman and three children, mother Kim Hunt, Phoebe, Mia and Fletcher at a rural property in the stateÕs south in Lockhart, NSW. Picture: Adam Taylor Source: News Corp Australia

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