The investigation into the suspected murder-suicide of seven people, including four children, has entered its second day as detectives try to piece together what happened at the rural West Australian property.
It is understood three generations of a family lived at Forever Dreaming Farm in the small community of Osmington, northeast of the popular tourist hub of Margaret River.
Police are yet to confirm the identities of the deceased but it is believed the property belonged to Cynda and Peter Miles, whose daughter Katrina also lived there with her children.
Police said the bodies of two adults were found near a shed that had been converted to living quarters, while the children and the other adult were discovered inside when police were called to the property just after 5am on Friday.
Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said two firearms were found and the victims suffered gunshot wounds.
"This devastating tragedy will no doubt have a lasting impact on the families concerned (and) the whole community."
A local resident who did not want to be named said the family was "hugely respected".
"I can't imagine just how disturbed someone is, how they could do that," he told AAP.
Augusta-Margaret River Shire president Pamela Townshend said the people on Osmington Road were a tight sub-community.
"There's a lot of giving each other vegetables, cooking each other meals, looking after each other when they're ill - very connected in deep ways," she told AAP.
"Such a horrific killing is going to affect out community very deeply. We're all connected to each other one way or another."
On the farm's website, Cynda Miles wrote of watching her grandchildren play with the animals, describing it as the family's "forever farm".
"It is here that we will grow as much of our food as we can, sit on the veranda and watch the birds, and watch the grandchildren immerse themselves in the animals and everything else that happens on a daily basis," she wrote.
Police are expected to reveal more information about the tragedy later on Saturday, while detectives and forensic experts will be at the scene for days.
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Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543 354
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Samaritans: 0800 726 666
Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797
General mental health inquiries: 0800 443 366
The Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757
