The father of the 2 boys found dead in their home in the NSW Blue Mountains on Tuesday issued a statement honouring his sons yesterday, calling them “happy, funny, outgoing boys”. Nick Smith said he “cannot understand” how 11yo Russell and 9yo Ben were “taken this way” and asked for privacy as he deals with the “unimaginable pain and distress”. The boys’ mother Trish Smith was also found in the home suffering from what reports say are self-inflicted wounds – she was arrested and remains under police guard in hospital. Premier Chris Minns says “every help” will be provided to the family, while a spokesperson for the boys’ school says counselling and wellbeing support is being provided to students/staff. The Police investigation into what happened is ongoing.