Mum ‘murdered’ alongside her 2 youngsters at dwelling pictured as husband named as suspect
A mother who died alongside her two children age 15 and 5 at their Bedfordshire home has been pictured as police continue their international hunt for the suspect, said to be her husband
A mother and her two children found dead at their £1.3m home have been named. Zandile Tshuma, 42, was described as a “gracious mother” by shocked neighbours. Her daughters Natalie, 15 and Nala, five were also killed.
Zandile’s husband, Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, 45, a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage who goes by the name Mark, has been named as the suspect in their murders, Bedfordshire Police said.
The force has issued a CCTV image of Tshuma, who is believed to have left the country from Heathrow Airport to Zimbabwe on a British passport on Saturday. The three victims were discovered at their address in Carnoustie Drive, Great Denham near Bedford on July 6.
Police were called to the address responding to concerns that the family had not been seen for several days. A number of enquiries were carried out before officers forced entry into the house, where they made the grim discovery.
Detective Inspector Lee Martin said: “We have been carrying out numerous lines of inquiry 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.
“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 inquiry 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.”
At least four police cars could be seen parked outside the property on Tuesday evening.
The property’s driveway was cordoned off and bunches of flowers were laid on a hedge outside the house.
One woman, who laid flowers outside the family home, said: “We are really sorry to lose her, she was such a gracious mother.”
A family friend, who did not want to be named, told the Mirror: “I just hope they find him.” The woman 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.”
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, expressed shock that the incident took place in “such a nice and safe area”.
Mark, who has a degree in Computing Informatics from the University of Plymouth, reportedly bought the detached house two years ago for £1.3 million. The property has a swimming pool, four bedrooms and four bathrooms.
Anyone with information with should contact police via the webchat service on www.beds.police.uk or call 101 quoting Operation Snowdrift.
