George David Silva

Silva was born in Homebush, near Mackay, Queensland, to Sri Lankan parents.{{cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/farmhand-faced-six-murder-charges/news-story/cb96a3ec14dd19b0a20f5e5dea248abb|title=Farmhand faced six murder charges Silva's employer was a property owner named Charlie Ching. Ching was a man from Hong Kong who was married to English-born Agnes. They lived in a corrugated iron home with a dirt floor. The kitchen was in a separate structure, away from the main home. However, in comparison to Silva, who had almost nothing, they were wealthy. Silva wanted to marry the Chings' oldest daughter, teenage Maud Ching. He told a neighbour that he would get a plot of land from Charlie Ching by Christmas and he would build a house to start a family. The neighbour replied "You can't marry. You got no money. You got no blanket. No decent trousers. How would a girl like to marry you like that?" Silva's marriage proposal was rejected by the Chings as he had nothing to offer their daughter. Maud also rejected his advances. == Murders, trial, and execution ==

On 16 November 1911, Charles Ching told Silva he was traveling to town for supplies and money for Silva's wages. While he was away, Silva murdered the six Chings. The bodies of Agnes, Maud, Hugh, and Winnie were found inside the house piled under a rug. Mother Agnes and eldest daughter Maud had been shot by a revolver and a muzzle-loading rifle, while the boy and the baby had their skulls smashed against the wall. Police and Aboriginal trackers inspected the crime scene, and after the trackers stated that there was no trail to follow the police homed in on Silva. Silva, fearing a lynch mob from Mackay, eventually confessed to police. He claimed that two neighbours had helped him murder the family, but the police found no evidence of him having any accomplices. ==Victims==

• Agnes Ching, wife of Charles Ching • Maud Ching, 17, daughter of Charles Ching • Teddy Ching, 10, son of Charles Ching • Dolly Ching, 8, daughter of Charles Ching • Hugh Ching, 4, son of Charles Ching • Winnie Ching, 20 months, daughter of Charles Ching == Notes ==