Police hunt husband after woman and two daughters found dead in Bedford home
Police have released an image of a man wanted in connection with the deaths of a woman and two children as tributes were paid to the tragic trio.
Nothabo Zandile Tshuma and her children were found after officers forced their way into a £1.3million house in Great Denham near Bedford on Monday.
Yesterday police released a CCTV image of a man wanted in connection with the deaths. Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, who also goes by the name of Mark, aged 45 and from Bedford, is believed to have left the country from Heathrow Airport on a British passport on Saturday (4 July). He is a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage.
Although formal identification has yet to take place, police believe them to be his wife Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, known as Zandile, and his daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, 5.
A family friend said her daughter was best friends with the youngest victim and described the suspected murders as “incomprehensible”. Speaking about the child victims, she said: “Both of them - they were amazing.”
Asked if she knew of any problems in the family, the woman said she could not comment. She added: “I am shocked.” Police reportedly had to force entry into the property after concerns were raised about the trio who had not been seen for several days.
Mrs Gemma Gibson, headmistress of Bedford Girls’ School, paid tribute to Natalie Tshuma, saying: "Natalie was a bright and accomplished Year 10 student who was dearly loved by everyone at Bedford Girls’ School.
"She was a talented dancer, musician and keen sportswoman. She was fun loving, full of life and had a positive impact on everyone she came into contact with; she will be remembered with warmth and affection.
"Her tragic death, together with that of her loving mother and younger sister, who were also well known to many of us, is a hugely devastating shock to all at Bedford Girls’ School and the wider Harpur Trust group of schools. Our thoughts and prayers are with Natalie’s wider family, friends and all of those impacted by this terrible news.
"Our focus remains on supporting our students, families and colleagues; we ask for privacy to allow us time to mourn our loss and support our community in private. When the time is right, we will come together as a community to remember Natalie. As this is still an on-going police investigation, so we will not be commenting further. "
Detective Inspector Lee Martin, senior investigating officer, said: “We have been carrying out numerous lines of enquiry as part of this fast-paced, complex investigation. We know that Mark Tshuma left the country on Saturday and is now believed to be in Zimbabwe. "
He added: “We are urgently working to find and apprehend him, and would appeal to him directly to hand himself in. 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. We are actively working with national and international agencies to pursue every available line of enquiry to track you down. “Please do the right thing, come forward and hand yourself in to local authorities. Our thoughts are still very much with Zandile, Natalie and Nala, as well as all of those who loved and knew them, at this extremely difficult time.”
Family friend Leonard, 73, told the Mirror: "They were a lovely family. I am shocked. You don’t expect things like this to happen."
Talking of Mrs Tshuma, he said: "She was a beautiful kind woman. She worked in IT in London. He worked in IT as well in London. They associated with everyone else. They moved to this house maybe two or three years ago."
ACC Murphy added: “We are committing all necessary resources to establish what has happened and to find the person responsible. We have identified a suspect, who was known to all three victims, and who we believe has since left the country.”
He said there is nothing to suggest there is any wider risk to the public, but added: “We will be increasing the police presence in and around the area to support the investigation and provide reassurance to residents.”
He asked for anyone with information or who saw anything suspicious in Carnoustie Drive, Great Denham, on Friday or Saturday to come forward.
Politics Editor
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