A major international manhunt is continuing after a mother and her two daughters were found dead at their family home in Bedford, with police now trying to trace her husband, who is believed to have left the UK before the discovery.
Zandile Tshuma, 42, and her daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, were found at the family’s detached property in Great Denham on Monday after concerns were raised for their welfare. Bedfordshire Police have described the case as deeply distressing and say they are treating the deaths as a suspected triple murder.
The man detectives want to speak to is Zandile’s husband, Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, 45, also known as Mark. According to police, he left the country on Saturday and is now believed to be in Zimbabwe. CCTV footage reportedly showed him passing through Heathrow Airport, carrying drinks, a boarding pass and a suitcase as he headed through an E-gate.
Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma was seen on CCTV at Heathrow on Saturday as he fled to Zimbabwe – before the bodies of his wife and two daughters aged five and 15 were found at their home on Monday
Zandile Tshuma, left, was discovered with her two children, five-year-old Nala (centre) and Natalie, 15, at their family home in Bedfordshire on Monday
Zandile, a mother-of-two, was a high achieving director specialising in financial crime, fraud investigations and anti-money laundering
Tshuma, a £100,000-a-year senior IT manager who drives a BMW, told friends he did not want a divorce
The family lived in a detached house in an affluent suburb of Bedford. Police had to force entry on Monday after concerns were raised for the occupants’ welfare
Detective Inspector Lee Martin, the senior investigating officer, said the inquiry is fast-moving and complex, adding that officers are working with national and international agencies to pursue every available line of enquiry. He also made a direct appeal for Mark Tshuma to hand himself in to local authorities.
The tragic case has become even more heartbreaking as friends of Zandile reportedly claimed the couple had been in the process of separating. According to those close to her, Zandile wanted a divorce, had discussed moving forward with her daughters and had recently had the family home valued as part of plans to go their separate ways.
One friend claimed the relationship had been under strain for some time and described Zandile as a devoted mother who had reached the point where she wanted a fresh start. Another said she was clever, capable and looking towards the future with Natalie and Nala before the unimaginable loss.
Reports also claim Mark had told people he did not want the marriage to end and could not live without Zandile and their children. Police have not confirmed a motive and have urged the public to be careful about speculation while the investigation remains active.
A woman, who laid flowers outside the house on Tuesday evening, said: ‘We are really sorry to lose her, she was such a gracious mother’
A forensics police officer was pictured at the property where the bodies were found on Monday
Friends said the estranged couple had their four-bedroom property with a swimming pool valued with a view to going their separate ways
Zandile has been remembered as a high-achieving professional who specialised in financial crime, fraud investigations and anti-money laundering. She had previously worked across global banking and consulting, including roles connected to major financial organisations, and was also linked to the Female Fraud Forum.
Her daughters were understood to attend local private schools, with Natalie reported to have been a student at Bedford Girls’ School and Nala believed to have attended Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory School. The family were described locally as decent and well established in the area.
The house where the bodies were discovered was a £1.3million detached property with four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a swimming pool. Police forced entry on Monday after welfare concerns were raised, and forensic officers were later seen at the scene as floral tributes were left outside.
Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy said officers are committing all necessary resources to establish exactly what happened and to find the person responsible. He stressed that there is nothing to suggest any wider risk to the public, but said police presence in the area would be increased to support residents and the investigation.
Tshuma was with his wife at their daughter’s school sports day on Friday, hours before the bodies were discovered. He had told friends he couldn’t live without her and their daughters
For the community, the shock is still raw. A woman laying flowers outside the home reportedly described Zandile as a gracious mother, while friends said they were devastated by the loss of a woman who had been hoping to build a new life with her girls.
Anyone with information about the incident, or who noticed suspicious activity in Carnoustie Drive, has been asked to contact police as officers continue their urgent search.
