The COVID-19 lockdown turned tragic for a family after a young man reportedly killed his dad and then himself at their family home in a ‘murder-suicide’.

Nicholas Mooney, who is understood to have suffered mental health problems, allegedly wrote notes in blood and on an iPad in an attempt to explain what had happened, the Daily Record reported.

The 23-year-old is believed to have stabbed his father, James, 60, to death before using the knife to kill himself.

Officers from Police Scotland found the notes as well as blood around the £300,000 home in Ralston, Paisley, on Thursday last week, reports mirror.co.uk.

An area around the house was cordoned off by police as forensic personnel collected evidence.

Sources told the Record officers faced a scene of horror when they first arrived to investigate the incident.

One source said:

“It was a murder-suicide – and it’s an absolute tragedy.

“There were notes written in blood in the house. Nicholas stabbed his dad and then killed himself. He left a bloody note… where they found him.

“The note said something like, ‘It’s nothing to do with anybody else’.

“When police arrived, there was nothing needing investigated – it was spelled out for them in blood what had happened.

“But they had to follow protocols and carry out a proper investigation, just to be on the safe side.

“It really is a tragedy – two lives taken and a family obliterated,” the source added.

Detective Inspector Erin Renwick, of the force’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Following postmortem examinations, the death of the 60-year-old man is being treated as murder.

“The death of the 23-year-old man is not being treated as suspicious.

“Although our detailed investigation is continuing to establish the exact circumstances, we do believe that it was contained within this house and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident,” he added.

Mental health issues as well as depression have been identified as unintended consequences of the lockdown.

Some states in the US, particularly Georgia, have moved to reopen for business ahead of the White House schedule.

They argue that the measures to contain COVID-19 may prove to be worse than the virus itself.