Update: Mother, daughters found dead in Bedfordshire

A mother and her two children who were found dead in their home in Bedfordshire died as a result of blunt force trauma, a post-mortem examination has found.

Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and daughters Natalie, 15, and five-year-old Nala were found dead last week

Police discovered Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and daughters Natalie, 15, and five-year-old Nala in their Great Denham home in Bedfordshire on Monday, July 6.

It came after concerns were raised for their welfare after they hadn’t been seen by family members for several days.

Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma has now been charged with three counts of murder following the death of his wife and two daughters.

Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma appeared in court in South Africa

The 45-year-old, also known as Mark, was arrested in Kensington, Johannesburg, South Africam on Friday. The Mirror reports he fled the country two days before the bodies were discovered.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) later confirmed it had authorised three charges of murder against him.

On Monday, Bedfordshire Police blunt-force trauma had been listed as the cause of death as Tshuma, a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage, appeared in court in South Africa.

He was remanded in custody after appearing at Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court. Work has begun to return him to the UK, Bedfordshire Police previously said.

Detective Inspector Lee Martin, senior investigating officer, said: “This case has attracted a huge amount of media coverage and we aware of international reports circulating which contain some speculation about this case.

“With three murder charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, proceedings around this case remain active and we are not able to provide any further detail at this stage.

“We continue to work with the CPS and international partners as the case progresses.”

The South African Police Service said Tshuma was traced and arrested “through swift operational co-ordination and intelligence-led policing”.