NEIGHBOURS of the family of seven killed in a suspected murder-suicide near Margaret River have spoken of missing “signs” and a “sense of failure” in the lead up to the tragedy.

Retired academic Felicity Hayes, who heard the gunshots around 5am and believed it was kangaroos told the ABC there were signals the family was under emotional pressure but the fact they all “cared for each other...made it so horrifying.”

“I had spoken to Cynda just on last week and I said ‘you’re looking tired, is everything okay?’” she told 7:30.

“And she said to me then, oh, their son is in hospital up in Perth, he’s having major surgery and that was a concern,” adding that Cynda also confided there were “difficulties at home.”

“I didn’t want to push. I mean, if she doesn’t want to tell me she doesn’t want to tell me.

“But clearly Peter was becoming less rational and that was a worry to her....He’s had a difficult life,” she said.

Peter Miles, 61, his 58-year-old wife Cynda, their daughter Katrina, 35, and her four children — daughter Taye, 13, and sons Rylan, 12, Arye, 10, and Kadyn, eight — were found dead at Forever Dreaming Farm in Osmington on Friday. Three guns licensed to Mr Miles were found at the property and the family all suffered gunshot wounds.

Friends said Mr Miles “couldn’t look after his family” and felt a “sense of failure”. Neighbour Neil Garnett told AAP he was facing financial problems and looking for work. He said it seemed Mr Miles had been planning the massacre but was clearly not thinking straight.

“He wasn’t some maniac going mad, randomly killing people. It was just a very sad story,” he said.

The comments come as grief stricken father, Aaron Cockman beings preparing to hold the funerals of his ex-wife, four children and former in-laws.

Others in the area have spoken about the impact the tragedy has had on the close-knit community of 135 people.

Brett Watson told the ABC he found one man in his twenties in a “bit of a mess” after listening to the news for hours while working in his tractor.

“When I found this young fellow, in the tractor all broken up … you know, then I guess it becomes true and you realise that people, particularly young people, are more vulnerable than you think,” he said.

Local media said the community has rallied together with an impromptu open day at a local animal centre attracting families to talk about what happened.

“I can’t thank the counsellors enough who came along to offer their services. We also had Brumby’s supplying delicious food and a local lady even dropped off lunch for us all, people really went above and beyond,” said Steve Jones of Sunflowers Animal Farm who opened his doors for free after a Facebook post.

“The thing that was really special for me was the fact that there were groups of multiple families arriving and spending the day together – this wasn’t just individual families spending time together but combined family groups, neighbours, school friends, spending their time as a community.”

The children’s shattered father Aaron Cockman told reporters in nearby Margaret River on Sunday he also believed Mr Miles had planned the apparent murder- suicide because the children were all in their beds and appeared peaceful.

He didn’t believe Mr Miles was struggling financially but hadn’t spoken a word to his ex-partner’s parents since he was “cut off” from his children for six months amid a bitter dispute over access to them.

“No way. Kat’s always tight on money and ‘oh, I don’t want to borrow off my parents’.

“But financially no, they would just sell the car, sell the tractor. They have got all new stuff out there.

“He is not the sort of guy to ever let people know how much money (he’s got) but they would have a fair few hundred in the bank so it is not financial.”

Mr Cockman said Mr Miles had lost a son years ago and could not bear the thought of losing the other, Neil, who is gravely ill with a kidney illness.

“He’s just gone ‘right ... I can’t live anymore, so this is it for me. But I need to take out everyone with me because that will fix the whole problem’.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan said the massacre could never have been predicted as there was no evidence Mr Miles had any mental health issues that could have resulted in his firearms being removed.

Police have ruled out releasing the emergency call they say was made by a male connected to the property.

But it may emerge in a future coronial inquest.

Meanwhile, extra psychology support services are being offered to shocked students and teachers.

The children, all of whom were on the autism spectrum, attended the local public school before being taught at home.

“It’s a tragedy and we can now start moving on a bit,” Mr Garnett said.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or a Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.