Lee Moran broke his silence on Thursday afternoon, a week after his eight-year-old boy was found dead inside a home at Tootgarook, on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula.

Mr Moran’s wife, Joanne Finch, has been charged with Brodie’s murder. She appeared before a Melbourne court last week where it was revealed she had been taking antidepressants.

The details of how Brodie was murdered or exactly where he was murdered are still unclear, but police say Ms Finch made a frantic triple-0 call on Thursday. By the time police arrived, her son was dead.

Mr Moran, who lives overseas, wrote last week that he had “lost the best part of” himself. Today, in a statement through Victoria Police, he said he has only one regret.

“My deepest regret is that I wasn’t there to prevent his murder,” he said.

Mr Moran said he was thankful to “old friends, concerned parents and strangers on the other side of the world” who have reached out to him, and that he wishes there was a simple explanation.

“People will always have their own assumptions as to what lead up to my beautiful son’s death ... but the truth is there is no other story.

“Although Joanne and I had separated in July 2015, I never stopped loving, caring and supporting my son both emotionally and financially. Brodie and I had a weekly face time (video phone call) session together when he would share with great enthusiasm all that he had done that week.

“At no point did I, or anyone around Brodie and Joanne, feel that he was in danger.”

He said Brodie lived a short life filled with love and compassion for others.

“If I could be half the person my son was, I would be proud. He lived a life in his eight short years that many others may not live in a lifetime.

“When remembering Brodie it is with happiness of his warm cheeky smile and loving caring nature, and this is a gift he has left us all.”

Ms Finch, 41, wore a dark grey jumper and red pants when she appeared briefly at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last Friday.

She was asked by Magistrate Fiona Hayes if she understood the charges and that she will be required to appear in court via videolink on June 29. She replied: “Yes” before being led out of court. It was Ms Finch’s first time in custody.

Her and Brodie had moved into the home at Tootgarook 12 months ago and made friends with neighbours who said the boy was often seen playing in the front yard.

Locals said they were shocked to see police seal off the home and forensic crews investigating.

“I don’t know the family personally, but I can absolutely tell you that Tootgarook is a beautiful, happy area in which many young families visit and live,” a local woman, who did not wish to be named, said.

“To have something so tragic happen really is unfortunate.”

Another Tootgarook resident told news.com.au the suburb was very quiet and locals were shocked to hear what happened. “Very sad news,” she said.

Pictures on social media show a seemingly happy family. Ms Finch is pictured smiling with her son on a number of trips. She shared moments including a video of his first time riding a bicycle.

Before Brodie’s tragic death Ms Finch posted a petition on her Facebook page calling for a stricter sentence for a South Australian mum who admitted the aggravated assault of her eight-month-old daughter.

Mr Moran has asked that the family be left in peace to say goodbye to Brodie properly.