Support flows for devastated Margaret River community

Support networks from across the state’s South West have met in Margaret River in the wake of last week’s tragic murder-suicide.

Peter Miles, his wife Cynda, daughter Katrina and her four children - daughter Taye, 13, and sons Rylan, 12, Arye, 10, and Kadyn, eight - were found dead at the Miles' Osmington property, northeast of Margaret River in Western Australia on Friday.

Yesterday, Katrina’s estranged husband Aaron Cockman broke his silence on the death of his children, estranged wife and her parents, saying the incident was “thought through”.

The murder-suicide sent shock waves through the small tight-knit community prompting the education department to send three leading psychologists to work with locals.

The Augusta Margaret River Shire President Pam Townshend said she wanted to ensure those in need of welfare resources can access them.

The Shire will eventually hold a public memorial for the 7 killed but won’t rush the event.

“We want to be very conscious that memorials need to be decided and led by relatives and close friends of the Miles and Cockman Family,” Ms Townshend said.

“This have been very overwhelming time for them and we need to determine what support, if any, they would like in this regard.”

Three guns licensed to Mr Miles were found at the property in the Margaret River area and the family all suffered gunshot wounds.

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