Trigger Warning: This post deals with issues of domestic violence and may be triggering for survivors of abuse.
Savannah, 4 and Indianna, 3, were found dead at their grandmother’s home just two days ago.
Today the Melbourne man accused of murdering the girls appeared in court and he was reportedly quiet.
The man is believed to be the girls’ father.
He had no family there with him. And was represented by a lawyer from Legal Aid.
Charles Mihayo, 35, was seated behind glass and appeared before the court for only 50 seconds. He was remanded in custody and will come forward again for a committal mention on August 12.
Mihayo was married to the girls’ mother but they separated a year ago. He’s since been living in the granny’s flat on the property where the two girls were found.
At this stage, all that is known is that on Sunday a family celebration was being held at the grandmother’s house. But by 2.40pm, the family was frantically calling emergency services.
No further details have been released by the police.
Speaking to the media, Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Crisp said: “It goes without saying this is a tragic set of circumstances that has impacted the family and there were a number of family members here at the time.”
“It’s first of all impacted friends, neighbours and also on members of the fire brigade and the ambulance services and members of Victoria Police that have attended the scene.”
No one knows yet what happened in this specific instance but attacks on innocent women and children by men in their family seem all too common. Only two months ago, Luke Batty was beaten to death by his father in front of his mother. Just last week, a woman was murdered in the street allegedly by her estranged husband. And as these attacks occur – again, and again, and again – people around the country are becoming more vocal in their demands that something, anything, needs to change.
Top Comments
I have been in fear for 6years now always running and hiding, I am praying and hoping this is given the attention it needs...my ex nearly killed us numerous times and he woulf prefer to harm the children as he knows I would then have to live every day in pain...he said he would rather cause me pain for the rest of my life. If you can prove violence especially concerning children, there should be no second chance to get it right. #HARSHERLAWSFORDOMESTICANDCHILDABUSEOFFENDERS.