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Police investigating the deaths of three family members in a murder-suicide near Toowoomba say it could take six months before they determine how a seven-year-old boy died.
Jackson Sharpley was found in his bed with no visible injuries on Monday night, while the bodies of his mother Kris-Deann Sharpley and grandfather Derek were also discovered at the Biddeston property.
The two adults had suffered close-range gunshot wounds to the head. A post-mortem examination has found.the grandfather took his own life.
In the case of Jackson, Detective Inspector David Isherwood said initial post-mortem results, which were inconclusive, may suggest the boy was suffocated.
"The pathologist does an examination of the body and what happens after that is if there's no real physical evidence they have to look at other methods like tissue samples and toxicology tests," he said.
"If it's suffocation there's certain ways of telling but they need to do more tests."
Detective Inspector Isherwood said it was possible a cause of death would not be determined, similar to what happened in the 2014 case of Alexis Jeffery at Goondiwindi.
"People say it's only a day between when the offence happened and when the body is found. That's true, but then you've got probably another day before the body is brought to Brisbane. Decomposition is always an issue even in that short period," he said.
Jackson's mother Kris-Deann and Derek Sharpley were found dead with gunshot wounds.
Inspector Isherwood said police believed a murder-suicide was highly likely, they couldn't rule out that another party was involved until the crime scene had been cleared.
Police are investigating how Derek Sharpley came to be in the possession of a .223 rifle.
While Mr Sharpley was known to police Inspector Isherwood said there were no recent history that was of major concern.
The deaths have shocked the Biddeston community.
Family friends have visited the home, which remains a crime scene, delivering soft toys and flowers.
"Never to be forgotten," read one note laid at the scene.
Family members have expressed disbelief that Mr Sharpley could have been responsible.
Ms Sharpley had moved to Biddeston to care for her father after the death of her mother in 2011.
* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
- With AAP
