This article contains references to suicide.
A Perth mother who killed her two daughters has been found not guilty of their murders because she was experiencing a severe mental health episode at the time.
Ten-year-old Mia and six-year-old Tiana Djurasovic were both killed by their mother in their family home in Perth’s northern suburbs in October 2019.
Today, 40-year-old Milka Djurasovic was found not guilty of their murders on the grounds that she was not of sound mind at the time.
“I think the judge summarised it correctly. Both in terms of her, and her mental illness, which caused something she wouldn’t even contemplate. I think justice has been well served,” defence lawyer Mark Trowell QC said outside court.
A two-day trial in Western Australia’s Supreme Court this month heard that, over a period of about 12 months, Ms Djurasovic suffered a major depressive episode, and she became delusional and psychotic.
Ms Djurasovic pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder.
The matter was heard before a judge alone and not a jury, and the only issue for the court to determine was whether the accused was of unsound mind at the time of the killings.
In delivering his judgement, Justice Stephen Hall said he was compelled to find her not guilty.
“In her delusional state, she thought that the only way to end her own suffering and to save her children from it was to kill them and commit suicide. She succeeded in her plan to kill the children but failed in her attempts to end her own life,” Justice Hall said.
The trial heard that after planning and carrying out the killings, Ms Djurasovic attempted to kill herself and failed.
She recorded a video apologising for what she had done and left the house.
Tributes to the girls are seen near the crime scene in Bogdanich Way, Madeleyin, Perth on 27 October, 2019. Source: AAP
The grisly scene was discovered by the girls’ father when he returned from work.
In closing submissions, the state prosecutor agreed with the defence that, based on the opinions of psychiatrists, Ms Djurasovic should be found not guilty of the murders.
Ms Djurasovic has been held at Bandyup women's prison and will remain in custody indefinitely under the Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Accused) Act.
“She will be held indefinitely in custody until the mental health review board decides that she is fit to be released and that will need to be signed off by the Governor-General,” Mr Trowell said.
Relatives of the family, including the girls’ father, were present in court but declined to make a statement.
Readers seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25). More information and support with mental health is available at and on 1300 22 4636.
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