Bodies of Mara Quinn, toddlers Charlotte, Alice and Beatrix, and their grandmother found in Coode Street home in Bedford

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A man has appeared in court charged with five counts of murder after twin girls, their three-year-old sister, mother and grandmother were found dead in Perth.

The bodies of Mara Lee Harvey, 41, her three-year-old daughter Charlotte, two-year-old twins Alice and Beatrix, and their grandmother Beverley Ann Quinn, 73, were found at a Bedford home, in Perth’s inner northeast, on Sunday.

Anthony Robert Harvey appeared in Perth magistrates court on Monday via video link from Karratha courthouse accused of killing his partner and children on 3 September – six days before their bodies were discovered.

He then allegedly killed Quinn the next day when she arrived at the house.

Western Australia’s police commissioner, Chris Dawson, told reporters several weapons were used, including a blunt instrument and knives, but no guns.

The women were allegedly attacked in the kitchen, while the children were killed elsewhere in the house.

Police also allege Harvey remained at the house for some days, then travelled north.

A bearded Harvey, who wore jeans and t-shirt, appeared calm as he sat in the dock and told magistrate Joe Randazzo he understood the charges.

Lawyer Max Crispe represented Harvey via telephone but made no applications.

Harvey was not required to enter pleas and was remanded in custody to appear in Stirling Gardens magistrates court later this month.

He had turned himself in at Pannawonica police station, 1,500 kilometres north of Perth in the state’s Pilbara region, prompting police to visit the Coode Street home where they discovered the bodies about midday.

Homicide detectives and specialist forensic police continue to comb the home for evidence.

A bouquet of red roses with a card saying “rest in peace, neighbours” has been placed against a light pole near the house.

According to her Facebook page, Harvey became engaged in August 2014 and had her first child in March 2015.

Records show she bought the family’s home in 2008.

• If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au