In a tragic incident in Coonabarabran, New South Wales, two young boys, Max Johnson, aged 7, and his 6-year-old brother Sam, were discovered deceased at their home on Monday afternoon. Their parents, Samantha Heggs and Troy Johnson, expressed their profound grief, reflecting on the brothers’ close bond and their deep affection for one another.
The boys’ grandmother, 66-year-old Kathy Heggs, has been arrested in connection with their deaths and is currently in a mental health facility. Following the police’s notification of the boys’ deaths, their parents learned through the media of Kathy’s arrest the next day. Authorities indicated she may face charges pending an autopsy report.
Max was known for his joyful disposition and appeared to be in excellent health, while Sam, praised by his father as “the toughest little kid,” had bravely overcome cancer when he was just six months old. Their family history is marked by hardship, as the children were removed from their parents’ care four years prior by the Department of Communities and Justice.
A small vigil was held outside their home, honouring the boys’ memory amid the heartache felt by the community and their family. Police investigations continue, with a formal charge anticipated following the autopsy results. The grief-stricken parents shared their sorrow with 9News, underscoring the special connection their sons had, a tie now tragically severed.