A young girl raised the alarm before a married couple was found dead in a suspected murder-suicide.

There was a frenzy of activity on Verbena Dr in Mount Sheridan, Cairns, just after 7pm on Tuesday when police were called to carry out a welfare check.

Emergency services arrived to find the couple — identified by the Courier Mail as Krystel and James Paul, both 41 — dead inside separate rooms, each with gunshot wounds.

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Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding their sudden deaths.

A resident of the suburb said the couple’s nine-year-old daughter had banged on her door, sharing the horrifying news that something was very wrong.

“The daughter was knocking at our door after 7pm— and I let her in,” the neighbour told 7NEWS.

“(Her dad) told her to run to (my) house and to ring her grandma and to stay here with us.

“Her dad told her that her mum’s dead.”

‘It was a nightmare’

The Mount Sheridan local said, “There were people everywhere, police cars everywhere.”

“It was like a blur, it was a nightmare. It was surreal,” she said.

Police do not believe the girl was “present or witnessed any of the incident that occurred.”

“However, that still doesn’t take away from how traumatising that will be for that child and the family members and friends moving forward,” Detective Acting Inspector Alina Bell said.

According to police, the child had been “alerted to the incident occurring” before seeking help from family members and neighbours.

“That triple zero call occurred as a result of another family member calling us,” Bell said.

The Mount Sheridan local described the couple — Krystel, a bridal boutique owner, and James, a painting contractor — as “lovely people” and “really good neighbours.”

She said there were “no signs of trouble.”

“I don’t know what happened,” the neighbour said.

The married couple did not have a history of domestic violence or mental health issues and were not known to police.

“It’s always possible that things go on behind closed doors that family, friends and police are not aware of,” Bell said.

“But our investigations have indicated to date that there is no indication that there was any domestic violence within that relationship.”

Multiple firearms were found in the home, all registered to the husband.

The child is currently in the care of family members, who are being given ongoing support.

“This is not only a tragic occurrence for friends and family, it also significantly impacts the whole of the community,” Bell said.

An investigation is ongoing.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.