A quiet town in Victoria has been shaken after a mother was found dead inside her home, and her estranged husband was accused of killing her in front of their young children.
What makes the story even more disturbing is that, shortly after the alleged crime, he reportedly went on social media, showcasing the children in unsettling videos.
Disturbing Social Media Posts
Police allege that Prem Kumar, 45, killed his 32-year-old wife in her Cobram home around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.
Just hours later, Kumar appeared online with his two children, posting bizarre videos in which he made them repeat troubling phrases.
In one video, he forced the eldest child to declare, “I am a Sikh warrior,” while the younger child sat on his lap.
He also encouraged them to reassure viewers by saying, “Hi everyone, I am safe.”
The posts came across as strange, erratic, and deeply unsettling—especially given the timing.
Gifts, Costumes, and More Videos
Not stopping there, Kumar recorded more clips outside the home.
In one, he was seen presenting the children with gifts in the driveway, asking them questions and praising their responses.
Another video showed the little ones dressed in traditional Indian clothing, with one child wrapped in a towel marked “Ambulance Victoria.”
At one point, a woman off-camera gently asked a child if they wanted to sit in a car, but Kumar shouted at her to leave.
Police Step In
Officers were soon called to the property, where they found the victim dead and arrested Kumar on the spot.
The couple’s two children, believed to be only two and four years old, were found unharmed inside the house.
Kumar faced the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, where he was officially charged with murder.
He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody until December 10.
Troubling Warnings Beforehand
Investigators later discovered that Kumar had posted an ominous message on social media the day before the incident.
In it, he described his children as “wild lion kings” and referenced religious conflict in a disturbing rant.
Community Reactions
Neighbours have been left shocked.
One local resident recalled hearing screams from the unit in the early morning hours.
Another neighbour mentioned that the victim had lived in the street for about a year and often let the children play outside unsupervised.
The small community, known as a camping destination, has been left devastated by the tragedy.
Messages of condolence have poured in on local forums and social media.
Police Appeal for Information
Detectives are now piecing together exactly what happened inside the home that morning.
They are reviewing CCTV from nearby properties and working with homicide investigators.
Detective Inspector Dean Thomas told reporters that the wellbeing of the children is the top priority.
Police will try to gently gather their accounts of what they saw.
“What exactly they’ve seen, we don’t know,” he said.
“One woman killed in a situation like this is too many. People should be safe in their homes, and in their relationships.”
What Happens Next
Kumar remains in custody while the case unfolds.
Meanwhile, detectives continue their investigation and are urging anyone with information to come forward by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
