GRAIN farmer Geoff Hunt felt immense stress and pressure following a horrific car crash which left his wife Kim with considerable disabilities.
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Police believe the strain and hardship brewed within the quiet farmer to the point where he exploded.
This week it is believed he killed his wife Kim, 41 and their three children before turning a gun on himself at the family's Boree Creek property.
Detectives working on the case said there had been considerable pressure, hardship and tension following a car crash where Kim Hunt's ute rolled twice, two kilometres from her home in 2012.
After speaking with close friends police believe "it was more than likely" the ongoing strain that made the 44-year-old snap.
Friends say the family were not under financial pressure and were about to build a dream new homestead on their "Watch Hill" property surrounded by lush wheat and canola fields.
The Hunt family farms most of the land between Lockhart and Boree Creek, and are highly respected within their close-knit farming community.
Mrs Hunt was an intensive care nurse, but after the accident which nearly killed her she had to learn to walk and talk again.
Her speech was still slurred and the family needed in-house carers to help the family look after their three beautiful children Fletcher, 10, Mia, 8, and Phoebe, 6.
Close family friend Paul Routley said he will never be able to make sense of what has happened but wished Mr Hunt had asked for help.
"The stress that's been put on them from the accident just immense, absolutely immense," Mr Routley said.
He said Mr Hunt had been a "rock" following his wife's accident, in which his daughter Phoebe escaped with minor injuries.
"He was super, super patient. He would help her get out of the car, he would hold her arm . You couldn't get a better bloke. The most gentle, considerate bloke and yeah - a pillar of society," he said.
Mr Routley said Kim has just got her driver's licence back and was working in an educational role at Lockhart hospital, but her injuries prevented her from doing what she loved most - nursing.
"She was an absolute workaholic. She was very, very dedicated, soft, bubbly and caring," he said.
The 41-year-old had once said nursing was her "identity" and was frustrated she could no longer work in the wards.
Homicide police said they were treating the deaths as a murder suicide but were preparing a brief for the Coroner.
- The Sydney Morning Herald
* Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by calling Lifeline 131 114, Mensline 1300 789 978, Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.