WATCH: Tracy Grimshaw's 'spine chilling' interview with heartbroken mother Shelly Walsh
In this series, we look back at some of former A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw's most memorable interviews.
Today, Grimshaw reflects on her 2009 interview with mum Shelly Walsh, who opened up about when she discovered her two children and mother had been killed by her father who then also set upon her with an axe.
"The story sends chills down my spine even thinking about it now," Grimshaw said.
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Shelly Walsh, who opened up about when she discovered her two children and mother had been killed by her father. A Current Affair
Shelly Walsh's mother Jean, her daughter Jaime and son Kevin. Supplied
At the time the New South Wales mum revealed to Grimshaw she had left her kids in the care of her parents John and Jean Walsh in Cowra overnight while she went to work on June 30, 2008.
But when she returned the next day Shelly said she discovered her children and mother's lifeless bodies and when she asked her dad about it, he attacked her - striking her twice in the head with an axe, leaving her skull fractured.
The one thing that really struck a chord with the seasoned journalist as Shelly told her about the "horror" was the "presence of mind she had to show, while she was managing her father and trying to figure out what happened".
"Her father had killed her mother and two children and he didn't tell her that he had," Grimshaw said.
"She had to find this, as she's going through the house."
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Grimshaw broke down as Shelly Walsh recalled her story. A Current Affair
The former host said while Shelly knew her father had issues, she never imagined they could have run so deep that he would resort to taking the lives of his own family.
"She didn't have a clue," Grimshaw said.
"He's just a bloody psychopath."
Grimshaw said Shelly's dad is now in jail and will likely spend the rest of his life there.
Despite the trauma Shelly faced, Grimshaw said she was "so stoic" during the emotionally-charged interview.
"I was the one who lost it," she said.
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Tracy Grimshaw said the case still send chills down her spine. A Current Affair
Shelly has since visited her father in prison, wanting answers and to hand over some of the burden she carries through forgiving him.
But despite her hope to move past the traumatic murders, Grimshaw said the mother will carry invisible scars for the rest of her life.
"You never shed that load," she said.
Watch the video above to see the full interview.
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