Grieving members of a small rural community have gathered to honor the lives of two boys whose deaths are being treated as a double murder. Brothers Max and Sam, aged seven and six, were found dead at a semi-rural property on the outskirts of Coonabarabran in northwest New South Wales. Their 66-year-old maternal grandmother, Kathleen Heggs, is expected to face serious charges over their deaths.
The Coonabarabran community came together for a vigil in Neilson Park near the Castlereagh River on Friday night, May 9, 2025, featuring a smoking ceremony and communal meals. A tree was planted for each boy, along with a ceremonial presentation of the karate students' yellow belts. Warrumbungle Shire councillor Kodi Brady expressed hope that the vigil would help the community cope with the tragedy. "It's a really important part, to take the community on the stepping stone of healing from the shock of the incident to another step forward in the grief and loss process," he said. "We can stand together and all the community can feel they're not alone. We're a small rural town; there is such a ripple effect ... it has impacted the whole community."
The loss of children is always tragic, but particularly so under these circumstances, local Barwon MP Roy Butler told AAP. "The loss of those two young boys, it's just a dreadful, dreadful situation," he said. "The kids were heavily involved in the town, in karate and other sports. Aside from their schoolmates and teachers who would be reeling from the news, there's a lot of other kids ... who would be feeling it pretty deeply."
On Monday afternoon, May 5, 2025, two junior police officers responded to a message sent to the communities and justice department, triggering an emergency response. They arrived at the home, located about 10 kilometers from the center of the farming town, and broke in to find the boys' bodies in separate bedrooms. Their grandmother was nearby after allegedly attempting to harm herself. She was arrested and taken to the hospital before being transferred to a mental health facility in Orange.
The family had moved from the NSW Central Coast to the quiet rural estate about 11 months ago, with welfare concerns prompting the boys to be placed in the care of their grandmother by the department. The parents of the boys, Samantha Heggs and Troy Johnson, have paid tribute to their sons, emphasizing their close bond. Johnson described Max as "the happiest little kid; he never cried, even as a baby he didn’t cry," while he referred to Sam as "the toughest little kid I’ve met, the way he went through the pain, the way he beat that cancer, he’s my hero."
A candlelit vigil was held in memory of Max and Sam, whose bodies were discovered during the welfare check. Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland stated that their grandmother, Kathy Heggs, would likely face serious charges and be returned to police custody. As the investigation unfolds, a crime scene has been established by officers from the Orana mid-western police district and detectives from the state’s homicide squad.
As the community mourns, the impact of this tragedy is felt deeply. The boys were described as active participants in local sports, and their absence is profoundly felt by their friends and family. The vigil served not only as a remembrance but also as a means for the community to begin the healing process together.
In the aftermath of such devastating news, residents of Coonabarabran are grappling with grief and disbelief. The tragic circumstances surrounding the boys' deaths have left many questioning how such a situation could occur within their close-knit community. As investigations continue, the focus remains on supporting one another during this difficult time.
The incident has raised broader concerns about child welfare and the responsibilities of caregivers. With the boys having been placed in their grandmother's care due to previous welfare issues, questions about the adequacy of the support systems in place for vulnerable children have come to the forefront.
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, Kathleen Heggs is scheduled to appear at Parramatta bail court, where the charges against her will be formally presented. As the community awaits further developments, the memory of Max and Sam will continue to resonate, reminding everyone of the fragility of life and the importance of community support in times of crisis.
