BREAKING

Man, woman, two children and dog found dead in Davidson in Sydney's north

Ava Benny-Morrison, Megan Levy

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A family of four were found dead at a house in Sydney's north on Monday morning in a scene described by police as "extremely confronting".

Officers were called to an address on Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive in Davidson about 11.20am and found the bodies of Fernando Manrique, 44, his wife Maria Claudia Lutz, 43, and their two children - Martin, 10, and Elisa, 11, inside.

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A family of four including two young children have been found dead in the suburb of Davidson in Sydney's north. Vision courtesy: Network Ten

Police also found a dead dog at the house.

Neighbours said the family, originally from Colombia, had lived in the house for about 10 years.

Tragedy: Maria Claudia Lutz and her two children, Elisa and Martin, were found dead along with their father Fernando ... — Tragedy: Maria Claudia Lutz and her two children, Elisa and Martin, were found dead along with their father Fernando Manrique at their family home in Sydney's north on Monday. Photo: Supplied

Both children, who were students at St Lucy's, a Catholic primary school in Wahroonga, had autism.

A NSW Police spokeswoman could not give any further details about how they died.

The mother was a very active member of the St Lucy's Parents and Friends committee.

When she did not turn up for canteen duty on Monday morning, and her children were not at school, staff raised the alarm.

Police at a crime scene on Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive in Davidson where a family of four have been found dead in their home. Photo: Wolter Peeters

Police have set up a crime scene at the house, and forensic officers will examine the scene.

A section of Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive, near Elphinstone Place, has been taped off.

Martin, 10, and Elisa, 11, died with their parents Fernando Manrique, 44, and Maria Claudia Lutz, 43, in Sydney's north. Photo: Facebook

Police are now trying to contact the family's relatives overseas to tell them of the news.

Asked whether police were treating the situation as a murder-suicide, Northern Beaches Local Area Command Superintendent Dave Darcy said he wanted to keep the options open.

Staff at the children's school raised the alarm when the mother did not turn up for canteen duty and the children were ... — Staff at the children's school raised the alarm when the mother did not turn up for canteen duty and the children were absent from class. Photo: Wolter Peeters

"I have specifically spoken with the homicide investigators and our investigators and we have come to a unanimous view that it is far too early to make such a conclusion," he told reporters on Monday.

"There is no one telling us at the moment what has happened.

"There is no one who has witnessed it."

Neighbours say the family had lived in the leafy street for several years and the children were often seen playing in the front yard and in a park nearby.

Fernando Manrique and his wife were originally from South America. Photo: Supplied

"I would wave at her in the street," a woman who lives around the corner said.

"They kept to themselves but seemed lovely.

"The mother in particular is held in very high regard in the community": Maria Claudia Lutz with son Martin. Photo: Facebook

"You would never know if there is a problem."

The two police officers who forced their way into the home and found the family dead are being debriefed at a northern beaches police station.

"It's extremely confronting," Superintendent Darcy said.

"We consistently have these sorts of concern for welfare cases and unfortunately in some cases this is what the police are confronted with."

The mother was very well-regarded in the community, he added.

"The mother in particular is held in very high regard in the community and, since coming to Australia, they have made a significant contribution to how we live," Superintendent Darcy said.

"They have done a fantastic job."