Murder-accused WA mum faces court

A MUM charged with murdering her two young daughters at their Perth home has faced court from a hospital bed.

The bodies of sisters Mia Djurasovic, 10, and six-year-old Tiana were found by their father Nenad about 6pm on Friday at their Madeley home.

The girls’ mother, Milka Djurasovic, was found more than two hours later near a Mullaloo beach car park with non-life-threatening self-inflicted wounds.

The 38-year-old was arrested and taken to hospital, and on Sunday charged with two counts of murder.

Djurasovic, who is understood to have been a nurse, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court via audio link on Monday.

She was remanded in custody to face Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court in November.

Flowers, cards and teddy bears have been left outside the Bosnian family’s home, while tributes have also been posted on social media.

One card read: “There are no words that can replace the beautiful smiles upon your faces.”

One Nation adviser Philip Couper, whose daughter, also named Mia, was best friends with the eldest victim, said his family’s “world changed forever” when they heard the news.

“The sisters were inseparable and only a few months ago, Mia D attended our Mia’s 10th birthday party, and the photos are a surreal moment in time as all the kids were so happy,” he wrote on Facebook.

“In our dealings with the family we had no idea of any troubles or concerns.

“To Mia and Tiana D, we sincerely pray and hope that the Lord has you both in his arms, that you are not suffering anymore and most importantly know how much you are loved and will be sadly missed.

“Mia has asked me to let you know that she loves you and misses you both so very much.”

The girls’ Ashdale Primary School classmates are receiving counselling.

Bosnian Club president Dean Merdjanic told AAP about 6000 Bosnians live in WA following the Balkan war of the 1990s, but he did not know the family well.

“Everybody is devastated … it’s shocking,” he said.

“We are all grieving as a Bosnian community and as a community at large.”

Speaking more generally, Mr Merdjanic described Australia as “the best country in the world” but said many refugees had post traumatic stress and took time to adjust to their new life.

Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk said the family did not have any dealings with the department before the tragedy.

“It’s a completely incomprehensible situation and my heart goes out … to the family but also the community,” she told reporters.

The girls’ deaths add to three other significant tragedies in WA in the past 18 months.

In May 2018, three adults and four children were found shot dead in Osmington, near Margaret River.

Two months later, 19-year-old Teancum Vernon Petersen-Crofts allegedly murdered his mother, eight-year-old brother and 15-year-old sister.

In September 2018, Anthony Robert Harvey murdered his two-year-old twin daughters Alice and Beatrix, three-year-old Charlotte, their mother Mara, 41, and his 73-year-old mother-in-law Beverley Ann Quinn.

— For support, call Lifeline’s 24/7 telephone crisis support service on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.