news

A mother and her two daughters have died in a 'suicide pact' on the Gold Coast.

A mother and her two daughters have died on the Gold Coast in a suspected “suicide pact.”

The bodies of three women—ages 78, 54 and 53—were found in an Ephraim Island home on the Gold Coast Broadwater at around 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The women have been identified by the media as Margaret Cummins, 78, and her daughters Wynette, 53, and Heather, 54. The bodies were reportedly discovered by Heather’s husband, who had been out buying groceries.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Procter, who leads the local investigative branch, the deaths are not being treated as suspicious.

“It is what appears to be an apparent suicide pact,” he told News.com.au. “There are no suspicious circumstances, there are no offenders outstanding and no one in the community needs to feel worried about their safety.

“[The husband] is pretty shaken,” the detective continued. “He wasn’t aware that this was culminating today but he wasn’t surprised that it has happened.”

The complexities of reporting on suicide. Post continues below.

The bereaved husband has reportedly provided police with information such as phone records and text messages sent between the victims.

A neighbour at the scene told the Courier Mail that Margaret lived with and cared for Wynette, who had recently undergone brain surgery. Heather and her husband, meanwhile, lived in an apartment in an adjacent building.

Ephraim Island is one of the most prestigious addresses on the Gold Coast. It’s a gated luxury residential community, located just off Paradise Point on the Broadwater.

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health, call Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14.