Bedfordshire Police have named a man wanted in connection with the murders of his wife and two daughters after their bodies were found at a house near Bedford earlier this week, the BBC reported. The force released a CCTV image of the suspect and confirmed he had already fled the country.
The victims were identified as Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and her daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five. Police forced entry to the house on Carnoustie Drive in Great Denham on Monday after reports that the family had not been seen for several days.
Bedfordshire Police are seeking Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, also known as Mark, who left the United Kingdom via Heathrow Airport on a British passport on Saturday. Detective Inspector Lee Martin said the force believes Tshuma is now in Zimbabwe.
"We know that Mark Tshuma left the country on Saturday and is now believed to be in Zimbabwe," DI Martin said. He added that the force is working with national and international agencies to locate him. "We are urgently working to find and apprehend him, and would appeal to him directly to hand himself in."
Martin issued a direct appeal to the suspect. "Mark, unthinkable harm has been caused to those around you and this has left your relatives and friends utterly devastated. Criminal investigation knows no borders. Please do the right thing, come forward and hand yourself in to local authorities."
The house on Carnoustie Drive has been cordoned off. Bunches of flowers have been placed on a hedge outside. A woman who laid flowers at the scene said tearfully: "We're really sorry to lose her. She was such a gracious mother." Other neighbors who spoke to the BBC said they were shocked the incident took place in what they described as a nice and safe area.
Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy had previously described the situation as "a deeply distressing incident in which a mother and her two children are believed to have been murdered." The force said there was no indication of any wider risk to the public but confirmed it would increase patrols in the area.
Formal identification of the victims had not yet taken place as of Wednesday. Police are asking anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area on Friday or Saturday to contact Bedfordshire Police.
