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Mum's heartbreaking letter to DV victims after her husband murdered their two children.

 

Warning: This post contains graphic details that some readers may find triggering.

Last Sunday was Father’s Day in the US. Alvaro Da Camara, who had separated from his wife a few months earlier, had his two children for the day at his home in Santa Rosa, California. His daughter was six years old, and his son just 19 months.

Their mother came to pick the children up in the evening, as agreed, but no one seemed to be home. She called police. The next morning, police entered the house through a window. They found three bodies.

It’s believed Da Camara killed his two children, then himself.

His daughter was six years old, and his son just 19 months. (Image: ABC)
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The day after the bodies were discovered, the mother wrote this open letter:

"Community of Sonoma County,

I sit here at 7:06am on Tuesday June 20, 2017, swaddled in my daughter's blanket and drinking tea from a cup that reads "I love you Mom", fighting back the tears and struggling to make sense of this horrific situation.

As I hear updates and stories coming out in regards to my children's identity and pictures of them without my knowledge, I am visibly distraught and upset.

They are my precious, innocent children that were beyond loved by their family, friends and community. I know I am not the only person that is or has gone through this horrific, unimaginable situation, so please help me spread stories like this to raise awareness that is much needed to help prevent anything like this happening to another family.

I sought help on numerous occasions and said many, many, many times my children were in danger in their father’s care and I didn't receive the urgent help I needed to save them.

A mother no longer able to hold her children."

The couple had been going through a custody dispute, and were in court last week. Both had called police more than once over custody issues. As recently as last Friday, the mother had asked police to do a welfare check on her daughter, who was with Da Camara.

Santa Rosa police lieutenant Mike Lazzarini told NBC Bay Area News that prior to the tragic discovery on Monday, investigators didn't have any information that Da Camara was “a danger to himself or the children”.

"There was no domestic violence," Lazzarini adds.

However, police are now reviewing their records to see if anything more could have been done.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

If you or someone you know needs help, Mamamia urges you to call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyondblue 1300 224 636.