The mother of the two boys found dead in the Blue Mountains has been charged with two counts of murder.
The two primary school students — Russell Smith, 11, and his brother Ben, nine — were found deceased in their mother's home in Faulconbridge, west of Sydney, about 1pm on Tuesday.
According to NSW Police, the 42-year-old mother was found at the scene with stab wounds, and was taken to hospital in a critical but stable condition.
She was released from hospital on Friday and taken to Parramatta Police Station, where she was charged with two counts of domestic violence-related murder, police said. She was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.
The boys' father, Nick Smith, found his sons at their mother's home and contacted authorities. Police have confirmed the father and mother were separated, with Smith having access to the home but not living there.
Smith said the loss of his sons has caused "unimaginable pain and distress".
In a statement on Thursday, he said:
"The loss of our two beautiful boys has caused unimaginable pain and distress. Russell and Ben were happy, funny, outgoing boys, and were very much loved by their family and friends. Like other boys their age, they loved sports, soccer, the Penrith Panthers, fishing, books, music, spending time with their friends and Max their pup."
"We cannot understand how our boys have been taken this way and we appreciate the kindness and compassion shown by the community."