On the surface, Maria Lutz and Fernando Manrique seemed to live a normal life with their kids, but the family of four were possibly gassed to death.

They would often be seen playing out in the back yard with their two children, Elisa, 11, and Martin, 10, and were described as a “lovely, friendly couple”.

But the community of Davidson is struggling to come to grips with a tragedy of huge proportions as police investigate the possible murder-suicide of the family of four after they were found dead inside their northern Sydney home earlier this week.

While our hearts go out to their friends, it positively breaks for the families of Maria and Fernando, who are based in Colombia.

The first notice they would have had that something was amiss with their Australian relatives was a phone call from authorities to inform them the whole family of four had passed away.

Police entered the closed-up property on Monday morning and found the four bodies, with no visible injuries, in three different rooms.

The family dog was also found dead in the house.

Initial investigations have found several gas bottles throughout the house and there have been reports of an “elaborate system” which filtered gas through the ceiling.

The Daily Telegraph reports neighbours seeing Fernando working on the roof of the house in the days leading up to the tragedy.

Investigators are awaiting toxicology results to determine the cause of death, but police have suggested it could be a deliberate murder-suicide.

Au.news.yahoo.com has recently reported that the father contacted controversial euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke and sought his advice on how to die peacefully before gassing his family.

In a report on The Australian, Fernando contacted Exit International, a voluntary euthanasia organisation founded by Dr Nitschke, before installing a network of gas pipes in the roof of their Davidson home.

Dr Nitschke said Fernando “had some contact” with his team and got hold of the group’s handbook on euthanasia, The Peaceful Pill, where one chapter explains the use of carbon monoxide as a means of suicide.

“They knew about carbon monoxide. But it wasn’t the case that they were coming to meetings,” Dr Nitschke told The Australian.

“The surprise to us was that given this family is from Bogota, which is one of the few places in the world where you can buy suicide drugs over the counter, it’s a surprise that he used carbon monoxide,” he said.

“But they knew about carbon monoxide, so on the other hand it looks like somebody went to a great deal of trouble to make sure the death was peaceful.”

However, News.com.au reported that Dr Nitschke has DENIED that his group had contact with Fernando.

Despite his earlier claims, Dr Nitschke later clarified his comment, saying that after checking the database, Mr Manrique had not downloaded the book. “Fernando Manrique did not access our book,” he told Fairfax.

Dr Nitschke has been a leading voice in the fight for assisted suicide, advocating for it as a human right.

Police has seized gas canisters found at the home on Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive where they believe the deaths had been organised.

The family’s struggle

Elisa and Martin suffered from severe autism and it has been reported they were unable to speak or hear, which may have put strain on the household.

The children were in years four and five at St Lucy’s School in Wahroonga, a Catholic school that caters for children with intellectual disabilities.

Acting principal Warren Hopley said the children had “very complex needs”.

“This is an exceptional family. They’ve been at the school here for six years. Two beautiful children. And mum was a very active within the school – almost a cornerstone of the school in many ways,” Mr Hopley told reporters.

“I don’t think she (Maria) slept for many hours of the night because of the difficulties often with the two children, and yet she would always be here helping out in every way she possibly could.”

Mr Hopley said he wasn’t aware of any issues in the family as he spoke to Maria most days and she was always positive, happy and greeted all 140 pupils at the school by name.

For many of us, it is hard to comprehend how someone could be pushed to take not only their own life, but those of their most loved.

A Lifeline spokesperson said asking for help could be hard, especially if a person was already feeling stressed or confused.

Often the person might feel like the problem will go away by itself, feel they should be able to cope without help, feel afraid they will be judged or simply not know where to find help.

“Getting the support you need during tough times can help you get through the situation, give you strategies to deal with he situation and give you some perspective,” the spokesperson said.

But remember, no one needs to face their problems alone.

If you need someone to talk to, please reach out and call Lifeline, 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald, Au.news.yahoo.com and News.com.au