Less than 12 hours after he allegedly unleashed on his 55-year-old mother at Balgownie, James Uhr, 27, ended his life in a Coalcliff backyard belonging to a family of strangers, including two young girls, aged five and six. 

There are conflicting reports as to whether it was the girls who found Mr Uhr’s body, or their parents. 

Police say a car stolen earlier in the day was located nearby and has been seized for forensic examination. 

Detective Inspector Brad Ainsworth said there was nothing to link Mr Uhr to the Coalcliff location. 

“It was just a random place. Unfortunately there’s been more collateral damage to the people who found him,” he said. 

“It’s a terrible set of circumstances of all involved. There’s no winners in all this.” 

Police say it is too early to speculate on what motivated Mr Uhr to run his mother’s car off the road early Wednesday, then repeatedly beat her, causing serious facial injuries. She has been transported to a Sydney hospital, expected to undergo surgery. 

In the Coalcliff street, residents expressed shock and sadness.

“It’s a sleepy little town,” said one woman, who added she felt sympathy for Mr Uhr’s mother. 

“Now she’s got to to into surgery and she’s dealing with the loss of her son.” 

Another resident said the family involved in Thursday night’s grim discovery was “shaken”.

Asked why Mr Uhr might have traveled to the property, she replied, “because he’s a d_ckhead, that’s why”. 

Earlier Wednesday, after police revealed details of the assault and declared Mr Uhr a wanted man, his Facebook page was flooded with abuse, including graphic imaginings of how he would spend his time behind bars. After his death, there was more anger, and some understanding. 

“Obviously you were a troubled man with many demons inside your head and I sure as hell think you would've felt bad and remorseful with your actions yesterday,” wrote one woman, Lynda Tee. 

“As a mother and having had sons with drug problems, at the end of the day they're still our child! 

“My love thoughts prayers and condolences go out to your mum your whole family, children and friends. May you remember James as the person he was and not the person he became.”

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