Perth triple murder: teenager arrested after police find 'horrific crime scene'

Three people have been found dead in a house in suburban Perth, in what police are calling a “complex and horrific crime scene”.

A 19-year-old man is in custody after being arrested at Ellenbrook, north of Perth, early on Sunday in connection with the deaths.

It is understood that two women and one man were killed. The three victims and the 19-year-old in custody all lived at the home.

“A senior homicide squad investigating officer said to me today it is potentially the most horrific crime scene he has ever been called to,” assistant commissioner Paul Steel told reporters in Perth on Sunday afternoon.

Police said two people were found dead inside the property and a woman was found critically injured in the backyard. She died en route to hospital. Their ages have not been confirmed.

Steel said it could take days for the scene to be processed.

“This is a terrible tragedy for the family involved, for their extended family and for those first responders who were forced to attend what was a horrific crime scene,” he said. “It’s a crime that I know will send shockwaves throughout the community of Western Australia.

“I can assure the community that WA police are applying all resources that we can to get to the bottom of what’s happened here.”

Officers were called to the scene from a service station near the home. A man who lives in a neighbouring street earlier told the West Australian he was woken by screaming and yelling about 1am.

“It was real loud screaming and yelling, it sounded pretty heavy,” Matthew Schreck said.