Officers wanted information about any suspicious activity “out of the norm” on the typically “good, quiet” Cannons Parade during the past four days, Duncan said.
The person who raised the alarm knew the pair, had not seen them since Saturday, and was concerned about their dogs and a cat.
Police and firefighters forced their way into the granny flat.
The bodies had “lacerations”, Duncan said, but further details on the injuries would have to wait for a forensic analysis of the scene.
The occupants were known to NSW Police for “minor matters”, but there was no local history of domestic violence, he said. Detectives were contacting Queensland Police, but tracking down records was a challenge because the pair had not yet been formally identified.
A “concern for welfare” was reported on Wednesday about 9.30pm (local time).
“Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended and found the bodies of a man – believed to be aged in his 40s – and a woman – believed to be aged in her 50s – in a granny flat at the rear of the property,” a police spokesperson said.
“Police established a crime scene and inquiries have commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incident with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.”
Property records show the granny flat was listed for rent in late October.
Police seized a white ute from the front of the property on Wednesday night, with Nine reporting that it had Queensland licence plates.
The two-storey granny flat is behind a five-bedroom, three-storey home, next to a large pool and lawn.
Photographers captured a resident of the front house answering a knock on the door from police. The female resident was in a dressing gown.
Police are expected to provide more details about the incident and investigation later today.
