The home in Cairns in northeastern Australia where eight children were found stabbed to death last week will be demolished and a memorial erected, officials said Monday.
Family members and friends continue paying tribute to the deceased close to the house where police found eight children — four boys and four girls aged between two and 14 years — whose identities have not been divulged due to cultural reasons.
Cairns MP Gavin King said that after talking with the family members and the neighbours it was decided to tear down the house and build a memorial in accordance with the traditions of the local aboriginal community.
“They’ll (authorities) consult with both the family and traditional owners and local residents. It certainly won’t be the state government coming in over the top and deciding what that will look like, or indeed the timing,” King said.
The police have arrested and pressed murder charges against Mersane Warria, 37, mother of seven of the children and aunt of the eighth victim.
Warria, who was found in the house with stab wounds in the neck and chest, remains hospitalised.
Inspector Bruno Asnicar said that the house will remain cordoned off for the next few days for the investigation during which the police have gathered several pieces of evidence and questioned some 100 witnesses.
(IANS/EFE)