An Australian woman was charged with murder on Sunday in the deaths of seven of her children and her niece, whose bodies were found inside her home, police said. Mersane Warria, 37, was charged with eight counts of murder in a bedside hearing at a hospital in the northern city of Cairns where she is recovering from stab wounds, Queensland state police said.
Police haven't said how the children died, but Queensland Police Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said they're examining several knives in the home that may have been the weapon used to kill them. Suffocation was also a possible cause of death, he said. "We are considering that and that's why it's taking a bit of time," he said. "It could be a range of things."
The children, four girls and four boys, ranged in age from 2 to 14. Warria is the mother of seven of them; the eighth is her niece. Police were not looking for any other suspects, Asnicar said. A hearing was scheduled for Monday, but Warria was excused from attending. Police planned to oppose any request for bail, Ascinar said. "This is very raw and it is a very emotive time for everybody," he said.
IN-DEPTH
- Australian Mom Arrested for Murder in Deaths of Eight Children
- Eight Children Found Dead at Home in Cairns, Australia