Sister’s move for niece after young mum allegedly killed by partner in suspected murder-suicide

The sister of a mother who was allegedly killed by her husband in a suspected murder suicide is raising money to support the couple’s child, now in her care following the tragedy.

The bodies of Krystel and James Paul, both aged 41, were found after emergency services were called to a Cairns home about 7.15pm on Tuesday to conduct a welfare check.

When officers arrived at the Mount Sheridan home on Verbena Dr they found both bodies with gunshot wounds.

Those close to Ms Paul said she was allegedly planning to leave her husband, The Cairns Post reported.

Mr Paul was reportedly a registered gun owner who kept multiple firearms at the home.

Ms Paul’s sister, Jasmin Bolt, has set up a fundraiser to support the couple’s child, who had sought help from a neighbour on Tuesday evening.

More than $10,000 has been raised on the Go Fund Me page, with Ms Bolt writing she would be looking after he niece, along with her mother, following her sister’s death.

“I need to make sure (her niece) is financially secure for her future, to help with schooling moving forward,” Ms Bolt wrote on the fundraiser.

“Thank you everyone for your kind words and support.”

Cairns’ Police Detective Acting Inspector Alina Bell earlier told media the couple’s nine-year old daughter had gone to neighbour Danna Lancini’s home to seek help on Tuesday evening.

“We provided an immediate response due to the concerns of the welfare of the occupants of that house, and unfortunately upon arrival, both male and female were located deceased,” Acting Inspector Bell said.

Ms Lancini said the young girl told her “dad sent me here because (my mum) is dead”, the Cairns Post reported.

“(Her dad) told her to run to (my) house and then ring her grandma and tell her that the mum’s dead,” Ms Lancini said.

“I didn’t believe it …(but) he must’ve rung the ambulance because when I looked out, the police was there.

“It happened all at one … the daughter was in shock, and the police didn’t really say anything.”

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