Police have released a CCTV image of a murder suspect believed to have killed his wife and 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 near Bedford on Monday after reports the family had not been seen for several days.

Bedfordshire Police 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.”

The house in Carnoustie Drive, Great Denham, has been cordoned off and bunches of flowers have been placed on a hedge outside.

A woman who was among the people who laid flowers tearfully said: “We’re really sorry to lose her.

“She was such a gracious mother.”

Other neighbours who spoke to the BBC said they were shocked the incident took place in “such a nice and safe area”.

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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, external.

Formal identification of the victims has not yet taken place.

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