IT was an Easter Sunday tragedy that brought even hardened police officers to tears.

The normally quiet neighbourhood of Longmuir Rd, Watsonia became the setting for police sirens, grief and utter bewilderment after two young lives ended in chilling circumstances.

The reasons which drove police to charge Charles Mihayo, 35, of Watsonia with the girls’ murder remains unknown. LATEST UPDATES HERE

Mr Mihayo is believed to be the girls’ father.

media_camera Charles Mihayo in custody after the deaths of two young sisters in Watsonia.

But after a string of family violence tragedies involving our youngest and most vulnerable Victorians the thoughts of those in the street turned to that most dreadful possibility.

“It sounds like it’s another family violence case,” one neighbour, who did not want to be named, said.

media_camera Police door-knock around Longmuir Rd, Watsonia. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“There’s been too much of that going on lately. It’s just horrendous.”

That the sisters may have died in front of family members at an Easter Sunday gathering added an element of anger to the mourning.

media_camera Detectives at the scene yesterday.

As police continue to investigate, Victorians will sadly wonder if the names of the two young girls lost in Watsonia on Easter Sunday will be added to that growing list that includes Luke Batty, Darcey Freeman, and Jai, Tyler and Bailey Farquharson.

Eleven-year-old Luke was murdered by his father Greg Anderson in front of horrified onlookers after cricket training session in Tyabb in February.

Darcey, 4, was horrifically thrown from the West Gate Bridge by dad Arthur Freeman in January 2009 and the Farquharson boys, aged 10, 7 and 2 died after their father Robert drove his car into a dam near Winchelsea on Father’s Day in 2005.

media_camera Police investigate the scene in Watsonia.

Residents of the leafy street where the two girls were killed struggled to come to grips with the fact such a disaster could have occurred in their haven.

“It’s a beautiful neighbourhood. This is completely out of character,” stunned resident Linda Bassiere said through tears.

Even the hardened emergency services professionals working at the scene could not keep emotion at bay.

media_camera Local resident Helen Temple leaves flowers at the Longmuir Rd home. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It’s naturally also impacted friends, neighbours and the members of the fire brigade, emergency services and Victoria Police who attended the scene,” Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp said.

“I’ve heard here today a number of our police members have been in tears.

“It’s a holiday weekend and time for family to get together.

“Our thoughts should be with family and friends.”