Katrina Miles: Mother penned chilling poem about family struggles four years before murder at home

Katrina Miles and her four children were shot dead in their beds
Lucia Binding15 May 2018

A mother killed alongside her four children in Australia wrote a chilling poem about her family struggles four years before she was murdered at her home.

Katrina Miles, 35, and her four autistic children Taye, 13, Rylan, 12, Ayre, 10 and Kayden, eight, were shot dead in their beds on Friday.

Her father Peter Miles, 61, is the suspected gunman, who is then thought to have shot his wife Cynda before killing himself at their Margaret River property.

A poem written by Ms Miles four years ago has now resurfaced after it was first shared by domestic violence campaign group Red Heart.

The 67-stanza poem includes phrases such as “I am not broken” and “the shame behind our doors”.

Four children and three adults were found shot dead
EPA

It also states: "I look in the young eyes that still love me. I ask myself, so ashamed, 'How can my children still love me?' I stayed so long, so long."

Ms Miles also wrote of her worries about losing her children.

Police continue their investigations into the killing but are not seeking any further suspects.

Investigators are focusing on Peter Miles after three guns belonging to him were found on the property.

The mass-took place at a rural property at Margret River
EPA

It is the worst massacre since Port Arthur in 1996 where 35 people were killed in a mass shooting by perpetrator Martin Bryant.

Ms Miles’ ex-partner and the father of her four children, Aaron Cokman, released a statement to the media saying he had been “cut off” from his children for six months, blaming Peter and Cynda.

Ms Miles was described by friends as a devoted mother who “worked tirelessly to provide them with everything they needed”.

“I always admired her for her strength. The kids were kind, gentle, smart and beautiful children,” a friend told The Australian. Ms Miles had reportedly claimed on Facebook last month: “My ex does not stop stalking me”.

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