Two young sisters have been found dead in Watsonia.




A girl leaves flowers at the house in Watsonia where the two young sisters were killed. Picture: Andy Brownbill Source: News Corp Australia


A family photograph of the sisters as babies. Their identities have not yet been formally confirmed. Source:Supplied
A family photograph of the sisters as babies. Their identities have not yet been formally confirmed. Source:Supplied

Charles Mihayo, pictured arriving at Melbourne Custody Centre at 1.30am this morning, has been charged with two counts of murder. Source: News Corp Australia

Charles Mihayo, pictured arriving at Melbourne Custody Centre at 1.30am this morning, has been charged with two counts of murder. Source: News Corp Australia
THE family of two girls allegedly murdered by their father in Melbourne’s northeast yesterday say they are utterly devastated by the tragedy.
Victoria Police this afternoon released a statement and photographs on behalf of the family of Savannah, 4, and Indianna, 3, who died in Watsonia yesterday.
“We are utterly devastated at the loss of Savannah and Indianna,” the statement read.
“The girls will be forever missed, loved and never forgotten.
“We ask that the media please respect our privacy and allow us time to grieve.”
Watsonia man Charles Mihayo, 35, believed to be the girls’ father, was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of murder during an out-of-sessions court hearing overnight.
He has been remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
Police were called to a home at about 2.40pm yesterday to Longmuir Road, Watsonia, where they found the bodies of the two girls.
Paramedics spent half an hour trying to revive them, but were unsuccessful. Police have yet to reveal how the children died or give details of any injuries.
The property is thought to be owned by the girls’ maternal grandmother. A number of family members were at the home at the time the incident unfolded.
Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Crisp yesterday said the tragedy had been traumatic for family members and for emergency services personnel who attended the scene, some of whom had been brought to tears.
“This is a tragic set of circumstances that has impacted on the family,” he said.
“There were a number of family members there at the time.
“It’s naturally also impacted on friends, neighbours and the members of the fire brigade, emergency services and Victoria Police who attended the scene.
“I’ve heard here today a number of our police members have been in tears. There are some very upset people at the moment.”
Mr Crisp would not say whether the children’s mother had witnessed the murders.
Relatives, mourners, homicide squad detectives and deceased estate cleaners have all visited the scene this morning.
A neighbour said the incident was hard to comprehend.
“(I feel) sick to the stomach,” he said. “It’s really hard to believe this could happen in a quiet little suburban street.”