A Zimbabwean-born IT manager, Ndodana “Mark” Tshuma (45), is being sought by UK police following the deaths of his wife and two daughters at their home in Bedford.
The victims have been identified as Zandile Tshuma (42), Natalie Tshuma (15) and Nala Tshuma (5). Investigators say Tshuma departed the United Kingdom on Saturday and travelled to Zimbabwe.
CCTV footage reportedly captured him at Heathrow Airport before the bodies were discovered. Authorities are now working with international law enforcement agencies to trace his whereabouts and have appealed for him to hand himself in.
According to people who knew the family, Zandile had decided to separate from her husband and was planning to begin a new chapter with her daughters. Friends said the couple had been experiencing relationship difficulties for some time and were in the process of divorcing, with their £1.3 million family home due to be valued ahead of a possible sale. Some acquaintances alleged that Mark was controlling and opposed the breakdown of the marriage.
Zandile was an accomplished financial crime and anti-money laundering professional who built a distinguished career with leading organisations, including Barclays and KPMG. She was widely respected for her expertise in fraud prevention.
Police have described the incident as a complex investigation and said there is no evidence to suggest there is any ongoing risk to the wider public. The family, originally from Zimbabwe, had lived in Bedford since 2011 and were well known within the local community.
Investigations remain ongoing as detectives continue efforts to locate Tshuma and determine the full circumstances surrounding the deaths.