Mosman Park: Carer Maddie Page leads tributes for Leon and Otis Clune, who she says were ‘failed by NDIS’

A support worker who cared for the two boys who died in a suspected double murder-suicide in Mosman Park has led tributes to the brothers, who she said had captured her heart.

Maddie Page — who knew the boys, who both had autism, for more than 10 years — also said the family had been let down by the National Disability Insurance Scheme, stating the pair’s parents were their “biggest, fiercest supporters.”

Friends are continuing to remember and pay tribute to Leon, 16, and Otis, 14 who were found dead along with their parents, Jarrod Clune and Maiwenna Goasdoue, inside their home on Friday.

Both boys are believed to have been killed by their parents.

Reports since the family tragedy was uncovered suggested one of the boys had recently had their NDIS funding cut.

To Ms Page, all they wanted was to be understood.

“I witnessed firsthand the immense love within their family, as well as the courage and resilience they showed during times of extreme difficulty and countless obstacles,” she said.

“My heart feels unbearably heavy knowing that the NDIS system failed them, and that they were made to feel they had no other choice.

“The Clune boys will always hold a special place in my heart. They taught me to think outside the box when it came to working with autism, and reminded me that communication is so much more than words.

“All they wanted was to be understood - and when they did, they captured your heart.

“I will always remember their smiles and the memories shared over the years, there truly was no one like them, and their parents were their biggest, fiercest supporters.

“A family that touched so many lives. The consistent dedication and deep love Mai and Jarrod showed for their boys, and the ways they never stopped fighting for them to feel seen and heard in this world will never be forgotten.

“May they rest in peace together as a family, NDIS — do better.”

As the unimaginable suspected murder of the two brothers continues to be investigated on Sunday, police cars and forensic trucks lined the quiet cul‑de‑sac as officers moved to and from the Clune family home, carrying evidence bags and equipment through the street.

A single bouquet of bright flowers sat at the base of a tree holding up the police tape on Mott Close — a splash of colour in a street marked by grief.

Online parent groups of children with autism were flooded with tributes to the boys.

The Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association, which led a candlelit vigil Saturday, shared a moving poem about the boys penned by a mother of an autistic child.

READ THE POEM DEDICATED TO OTIS AND LEON BELOW

“Otis. Leon. You moved through the world, together, side by side, each with your own way of knowing, each shaping the other’s days,” the poetic tribute by Ash Smith included.

“You belonged. You were children. Not diagnoses. Not burdens.”

The sentiment was echoed by others who knew the boys, with one sharing online how their involvement with the Clune family will forever impact their life.

“My heart is broken, they forever had an impact on my life for the time I worked with Leon and Otis and Jarrod and Mai (were) some of the nicest people I met,” it read.

It emerged on Saturday that a letter found inside the home may hold crucial answers for police working to ascertain exactly how the boys died.

The family pets — two dogs and a cat — were also found dead inside the western suburbs property.

The note reportedly discussed the mindset of the parents and indicated some planning behind the incident.

Police still believe their deaths were not violent and that no weapons were used.

The tragedy has also sparked anger, with violence against women and children campaigner Sherele Moody saying both boys were taken far too soon.

“Hanging with his mates and exploring the river. Going to school and playing with his brother and his pets,” she wrote of Leon.

“Leon Clune was a happy lad who deserved every opportunity to grow and to be safe.”

Ms Moody also paid tribute to Otis.

“Otis Clune was a little boy with dreams, ambitions, likes and dislikes,” she said.

“He deserved to explore all the things the world has to offer. The 14-year-old did not deserve to die. And neither did Leon.”

Tributes also flowed for Jarrod Clune, who was remembered by friend Justin Bajada.

“Absolute legend. Dinky di most honest bloke I’ve ever known. Caring, thought provoking, cheeky as f..k, adventurous, carefree, loving. Stand up. Best of mates,” he wrote.

“Your spirit shone a huge light and life on all who knew you Rodders and will continue to do so on me as long as I walk this earth. Love ya amigo. Will miss you deeply.”

Police believe the case to be a double murder-suicide, but said there was no signs of a violent struggle or weapons used.

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said the incident was a tragedy that would be felt across the communty.

“I don’t have any updates, apart from just feeling the sense of everybody in the community of disbelief of the tragic circumstances,” she said.

“I think all of us in the community are shocked to see that tragedy unfold in one of our suburbs.

“For parents out there, for everyone in the community, it is a very tragic, tragic event.”

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said he hoped some good could come out of the tragedy.

“What’s taken place is horrific, it’s so sad, so sad, but we would hope that those in our community who need help can get help and we should never lose sight of that,” he said.

“I hope that one positive that might come out of this horrible, terrible tragedy is that the way to connect those services and that help might become clearer and might become easier for families who might be experiencing these sorts of difficulties.”

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