Triple murder suspect named after wife and two daughters found dead in Bedford

Police have named Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma as suspect in the murders of his wife and two daughters in Great Denham. He is believed to have fled to Zimbabwe.

Great Denham triple murder: suspect named and believed to have fled to Zimbabwe

Bedfordshire Police have identified Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, 45, also known as Mark, as the suspect in the murders of his wife and two daughters at a property in Great Denham, Bedford, the Daily Express reports. The victims are Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and the couple's daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five.

Tshuma, a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage, is believed to have left the United Kingdom via Heathrow Airport on Saturday, 4 July, travelling on a British passport. Officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, who launched a murder investigation, have released a CCTV image of him and are now seeking him in connection with the three deaths.

Detective Inspector Lee Martin said investigators know Tshuma left the country on Saturday and is now believed to be in Zimbabwe. "We are urgently working to find and apprehend him, and would appeal to him directly to hand himself in," Martin said. He added that the investigation is being conducted in coordination with national and international agencies, stating: "Criminal investigation knows no borders."

Martin appealed directly to Tshuma in a public statement: "Mark, unthinkable harm has been caused to those around you, and this has left your relatives and friends utterly devastated. Please do the right thing, come forward and hand yourself in to local authorities."

He concluded by expressing condolences: "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."

At the scene on Tuesday evening, at least four police cars were parked outside the property, with the driveway cordoned off. Bunches of flowers had been laid on a hedge outside the house by members of the public.

Among those who came to pay their respects, a woman told reporters tearfully: "We're really sorry to lose her. She was such a gracious mother." A nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said they were shocked the incident had occurred in what they described as "such a nice and safe area."

Anyone with information about Tshuma's whereabouts, or who witnessed anything unusual in the days leading up to Saturday, is urged to contact Bedfordshire Police. Information can be submitted via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) or by calling 101.

Source: Daily Express