An elderly Queensland man is believed to have shot his cancer-stricken wife and disabled daughter, called triple-zero and then turned the gun on himself in a double murder-suicide.
John Frescura, 79, his wife Janice, 68, and their daughter Robyn were found shot at their Booral home on Queensland's Fraser Coast on Thursday morning.
Robyn,50, died at the scene and her parents were taken to the Hervey Bay Hospital, where they died.
Family friend Gwenda Knapp said the couple were both battling terminal disease with John suffering prostate cancer and Janice lung cancer.
"Janice's last words to me were they were a bit worried how they were going to cope with Robyn," she told reporters.
"The mum's dying, he's dying, and they have a daughter who is not in a good way."
Friends also took to Facebook to express sympathy for the family.
"They were a beautiful family RIP," Desley Jenkinson wrote.
"You are at rest now you where all suffering (sic) and now you will be together I know why you did this and I know ur a good man," Jenny N Danny Palfrey wrote.
Detective Inspector David Briese said police were not aware of any history of domestic violence at the home.
He said Mr Frescura is believed to have called triple-zero to report the shooting and police will investigate the family's history, including reports from neighbours that Robyn suffered from a disability.
Mr Frescura spoke to the Fraser Coast Chronicle in 2014 to complain about being issued a parking fine after rushing to hospital after Robyn suffered a life-threatening stroke.
Det Insp Briese said the incident was distressing for police and emergency services who arrived at the home.
"It's shocking and traumatic for the community, for the emergency service responders at the scene," he told reporters in Hervey Bay. "A traumatic incident, such as this, is terrible for the whole community."
A firearm was seized from the property and police are investigating whether or not it was licensed.
Former Booral Community Association president Derek Lawton was shocked by the triple shooting in the "quietest place you could live".
He told the Fraser Coast Chronicle that Booral, just south of Hervey Bay, was a haven for retirees who wanted to get away from it all.
"It's where you come to leave everything behind," Mr Lawton said. "There is no noise except for the sound of a lawn mower and the birds.
"Basically nothing happens here.''
National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.
