A body and a gun have been recovered from a dam on the rural New South Wales property where a woman and her three children were yesterday found dead.

Kim Hunt, her 10-year-old son Fletcher and daughters Mia and Phoebe, aged eight and six, were found shot dead at a farmhouse near Lockhart, west of Wagga Wagga.

Police divers found a fifth body in a dam on the property this afternoon.

It is believed to be that of Mrs Hunt’s husband and the children’s father, 44-year-old Geoff Hunt.

Policemen search the grounds at a farmhouse near Lockhart.

Wagga Wagga police Superintendent Bob Noble said a gun was found with the body.

The body has not been formally identified but police have discontinued a search for Mr Hunt.

“We have five dead people. We believe they were all members of the same family,” Superintendent Noble said.

“There’s nothing to lend us to believe that there are any other victims or persons of interest.”

Earlier, Superintendent Noble said the family was well known in the community.

“These people were well integrated with their local community. Through work. Through social events. Through sport. Three young children attended a local school,” he said.

“[They were] obviously productive members of the community. It is going to devastate everyone from the little kids in the community to the community leaders, the old folks, and their network of friends and family throughout the state.”

Mrs Hunt had been working as a registered nurse for the Lockhart Multi Purpose Service (MPS) since 2000.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District CEO Jill Ludford said she was a “bubbly, positive, caring and passionate nurse who was dedicated to patient care”.

“Kim was appointed to the position of Clinical Nurse Educator at Lockhart MPS in April this year following recovery from a serious car accident two years ago,” Ms Ludford said.

“After her accident, Kim was unsure she would be able to return to nursing.

“She was very excited to still be able to use her skills and knowledge to educate other nurses.”

Lockhart Shire Mayor Peter Yates said he was devastated by the shootings.

“I know the family well. They’re well-respected people, community-minded people,” Mr Yates said.

On Tuesday police said they had “grave concerns” for Mr Hunt but would not comment on whether he was believed to be under any particular strain.

“Different circumstances prevail from one farm to another. I can’t comment on the particulars around this particular farm,” Superintendent Noble said.

“There’s no doubt life on the land is very difficult, though. In certain parts of the country at present, it’s very hard on people.”

Police believe the shooting deaths could have happened many hours before the bodies were discovered.

Superintendent Noble said police were alerted by a triple-0 call from a member of the public at 3:00pm (AEST) on Tuesday.

“Our examinations and the information we have at this early stage led us to believe it may well have been early yesterday Tuesday morning, or possibly late on the evening of Monday,” he said.

“A member of the public contacted triple-0, ambulance attended initially and police were on scene soon after that, they were met with a horrific scene.”