The devastated family of a woman who secretly gave birth to twins in a tent - where one baby later died - have broken their silence to shut down online 'lies', revealing they had no idea she was pregnant.
Emergency services attended Wagga Beach at Cadell Place in Wagga Wagga, regional NSW, after the woman's partner called triple-zero on Saturday.
A 37-year-old woman was discovered at the scene alongside the body of a baby and its twin, who was still alive.
Paramedics treated the woman and the surviving baby at the scene before rushing both to Wagga Base Hospital in critical condition.
The grim discovery was made at a makeshift homeless camp on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, an area locals say has become a refuge for people struggling amid the region's housing crisis.
The woman is understood to have been living at the camp with her partner for about five months. She has other children who did not live there, and was known to the Department of Communities and Justice.
It's understood the woman was also in contact with Homes NSW for several years, with hundreds of people on the waitlist for social housing in the regional city.
As speculation spiralled online, as well as claims about drug and alcohol use, the mother's cousin, Beck Lee, took to social media to shut down the false rumours.
The discovery was made at a homeless camp on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River (pictured) in Wagga Wagga. It's understood the woman had been living there for five months
There are hundreds of people on the waitlist for social housing in Wagga Wagga
'This is my cousin you're all talking about,' she wrote.
'Before you keep making assumptions and spreading lies, understand this – you don't know her or her situation.'
The cousin said the tragedy had blindsided the family, who were shocked to learn the woman was expecting twins.
'Our family wasn't even aware of the pregnancy, but one thing I will make very clear is that she has never had issues with drugs or alcohol,' she said.
'The stories some of you are creating are simply not true.'
She revealed the woman had been going through 'an incredibly difficult time' after fleeing domestic violence and had been trying to rebuild her life.
'And she was actively trying to secure housing, but anyone who understands the current rental crisis in Wagga knows how near-impossible that is,' she continued.
'The waitlists for public housing are enormous, and she was doing her best in a system that is already overwhelmed.'
The woman is understood to have been living at the camp with her partner for about five months, the majority of her pregnancy (the Murrumbidgee River is pictured)
The woman has since left hospital, and the surviving infant has been transferred to Sydney
In an emotional plea, the cousin also addressed commentary about the woman's background, saying race should not be part of the conversation.
'Her skin colour should not matter at all, but for those making assumptions, she is not Aboriginal and she is not white,' she said.
'It shouldn't need to be said, but clearly, some people are more focused on creating a narrative than showing any decency.'
She urged the public to show compassion as the family comes to terms with the tragedy, saying the woman didn't need 'judgement from strangers on the internet.'
'The comments I'm seeing are honestly disgraceful,' she continued.
'You are speaking about someone's life, someone you have never met, and a situation you know nothing about.
'As a family, we are doing everything we can to support her. It hasn't been easy, and like many people facing hardship, she hasn't always felt able to accept help, but that does not make her deserving of this kind of treatment.
'Please stop making up stories and assuming you know what happened. You don't. Show some respect and basic human decency.'
The woman has since left hospital, and the surviving baby has been transferred to a hospital in Sydney.