Police name man wanted over murders of wife and children

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Katy Prickettand

Holly Nichols,in Great Denham

Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, also known as Mark, left the country via Heathrow Airport on a British passport on Saturday

Bedforshire Police A CCTV image shows a man walking through a passport gate — Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, also known as Mark, left the country via Heathrow Airport on a British passport on Saturday

Police have released a CCTV image of a murder suspect believed to have killed his wife and his two daughters before fleeing the UK.

The bodies of Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and her daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, were found after police forced entry to a house in Carnoustie Drive, Great Denham, on Monday after reports the family had not been seen for several days.

The force is seeking Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, also known as Mark, who left the country via Heathrow Airport on a British passport on Saturday.

Det Insp Lee Martin said: "We know that Mark Tshuma left the country on Saturday and is now believed to be in Zimbabwe."

He added the force was working with national and international agencies to find Tshuma.

"We are urgently working to find and apprehend him, and would appeal to him directly to hand himself in."

He appealed directly to the suspect, saying: "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."

Bunches of flowers have been left outside the house where police found the bodies of a mother and her children

Holly Nichols/BBC The scene at Carnoustie Drive in Great Denham. On the left is a hedge which has plastic-wrapped flowers sticking into it, and beyond is an entrance to a driveway with police tape across it. On the right are two police cars parked partly on the pavement. Beyond it is another detached house and trees. — Bunches of flowers have been left outside the house where police found the bodies of a mother and her children

The house's drive has been cordoned off and bunches of flowers have been laid on a hedge outside.

Early morning dog walkers spoke of their shock at the news.

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Jess Roland said: "My husband shared it with me yesterday when I was at work and it completely took me aback.

"I actually almost wanted to fact check it to see if it was true because it just doesn't seem like something that would happen here – but obviously it could happen to anybody."

Her husband Tim said it was "just incredibly shocking and just really sad".

Jess and Tim Roland say they have been walking past the house nearly every day for the last three or four years

Holly Nichols/BBC Jess and Tim Roland standing in a field with two detached houses behind them. Jess is wearing dark glasses and a black T-shirt and Tim is wearing a green baseball cap, dark glasses and a white T-shirt. — Jess and Tim Roland say they have been walking past the house nearly every day for the last three or four years

Brian Cheyne said: "It's absolutely shocking, especially the two young children.

"It's been about three or four days before it was found out – absolutely horrific.

"It's a nice area, [a] quiet area. My wife and some of the people around here are just very much surprised."

Laura Watson-Smith described Great Denham as a quiet and friendly village.

"Everyone's very shocked and it's incredibly sad and scary to hear that something like that has happened in the village," she said.

Officers forced their way into the house on Monday, after the woman and children had not been seen for several days

DJ McLaren/BBC A police car and a few forensic vans are parked outside a large house – some on the street, some on the driveway. — Officers forced their way into the house on Monday, after the woman and children had not been seen for several days

Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy had previously said it was "a deeply distressing incident in which a mother and her two children are believed to have been murdered".

The force said there was nothing to suggest there was any wider risk to the public, but it would be increasing patrols in the area.

Those with information about the incident, or who saw any suspicious activity in the area on Friday or Saturday, have been asked to contact Bedfordshire Police.

Formal identification of the victims has not yet taken place.

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