The family of a woman and two children found dead in a £1.3m home in Bedfordshire have spoken of their “unimaginable loss”, as police named the girls’ father as the suspect and said he has fled the UK.
Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and her daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, were discovered at their detached house on Carnoustie Drive in Great Denham on Monday after concerns were raised when they had not been seen for several days. Officers forced entry into the property.
“Family of mother and two daughters found dead in Bedfordshire speak of 'unimaginable loss'; husband and father fled UK.”
Police believe the three were murdered and have identified the suspect as 45-year-old Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, the girls’ father and Mrs Tshuma’s husband, who is said to have left the country.
In an emotional statement outside the home, Mrs Tshuma’s cousin Michelle Ncube described the family’s grief. “It’s left a massive hole in our hearts,” she said. “It doesn’t feel real at all. It’s unbelievable. Most of us are in a state of shock.”
Ncube paid tribute to her cousin, remembering her “as the loving, most patient, demure, person, that she was”. “She was a naturally private person but she had this warmth and this compassion that really drew you in,” Ncube told ITV News. “She was motivated to be a successful black woman. She loved gardening and flowers and she was a precious flower to us.”
Of the two girls, Ncube said they “were absolute dreams” who “brought such love joy and light into our lives”. “You knew you would leave that space feeling a lot lighter and happier. We had such high dreams for them. They had such joy, and brought such happiness.”
The family said they are dealing with “unimaginable loss” and urged the public to let police do their jobs as the investigation continues.