AUSTRALIA - Hundreds of people have attended the funeral for three children who died in an apparent murder-suicide on the New South Wales south coast.
Despite rain and near freezing temperatures, mourners packed the big Anglican Church at Bega to farewell eight-year-old Jack, his seven-year-old sister Maddie andhis 16-month-old brother Bon.
Their bodies were found inside a vehicle with their father, Gary Poxon, aka Gary Bell, at the family home at Pericoe, near Eden, ten days ago.
Mr Poxon had left a note saying he could not bear to be separated from the children because he thought he was going to jail in connection with an assault matter.
The tragedy came after a long history of domestic unrest in the family.
A family friend, pastor John Thompson of the Seven Day Adventists, gave the service.
The children's mother, Karen Bell, lit a candle during the service to draw attention to all victims of domestic violence.
School children from the nearby Towamba School later released messages tied to balloons in memory of the children while three white caskets were lowered into the graves.
Ms Bell has said the responsibility for their deaths lies solely with their father.
But the NSW coroner's office said yesterday it could take up to 18 months before findings into the deaths are released.
