Whispering Wall Tragedy: Father, 9-Month-Old Daughter Plunge To Their Deaths In Suspected Murder-Suicide

KEY POINTS

The incident took place near Barossa Valley, north of Australian city Adelaide
Emergency services responded to the scene after getting reports about the fall
The man, identified as Henry Shepherdson, was pronounced dead at the scene
Paramedics failed to revive his daughter, identified as Kobi Shepherdson

A man and his 9-month-old baby girl plunged to their deaths from a dam in southern Australia Wednesday in a suspected case of murder-suicide, police said.

The tragic incident took place near the Barossa Valley, north of the South Australian city of Adelaide. The man, identified as 38-year-old Henry Shepherdson, fell off the popular Whispering Wall, the retaining wall of the Barossa Reservoir, with his daughter Kobi Shepherdson, Perth Now reported.

Emergency services rushed to the spot at around 2:30 a.m. ET after receiving reports from bystanders about the fall. Authorities pronounced the man dead at the scene while the baby was found to be unresponsive, 9 News said in a report.

A team of paramedics with the SA Ambulance Service sent from the nearby Hamley Bridge station and additional crews sent from Playford and Oakden ambulance stations failed to resuscitate the infant. The Medical Shock Trauma Acute Resuscitation (MedStar) also sent a helicopter to aid the resuscitation efforts, reported Perth Now. The baby was declared dead by the paramedics.

"Detectives from Barossa CIB and Major Crime Investigation Branch, along with forensic crime scene investigators attended the scene to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident," a police report said as per 9 News.

"Although a formal identification has not yet been completed, police believe the man to be Henry Shepherdson aged 38 and his daughter Kobi Shepherdson aged nine months," the police report added. "This is a highly distressing and emotional incident that has and is affecting people who witnessed this incident, those who tried to help Kobi, emergency services personnel, family and friends."

Police are providing emotional support to those who witnessed the "highly distressing" incident, according to 9 News.

A preliminary investigation revealed that there was a history of violence between Henry and Kobi's mother, whose name was not released. The incident is currently under investigation.

Barossa Reservoir is a huge tourist magnet due to its unique acoustic effects. "Words whispered at one side can be clearly heard at the other, more than 100 meters away. Children in particular love visiting the wall and testing its abilities," Barossa Australia's website said.

The site remained closed to the general public as of Thursday amid the ongoing investigation.