Bedfordshire Police have released a CCTV image of a man wanted in connection with the suspected murder of his wife and two young daughters after he is believed to have fled the United Kingdom and travelled to Zimbabwe.
Police are searching for Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, 45, who also goes by the name Mark. Investigators say he left the UK through Heathrow Airport on Saturday, July 4, using a British passport and is believed to have travelled to Zimbabwe.
Tshuma, a senior IT manager earning around £100,000 a year, was dressed in black with a blue sweater and an Apple Watch as he made his way through an e-gate at Heathrow Airport.
Carrying a boarding pass, bottles of Coca-Cola and water, he pushed a suitcase as he proceeded through the terminal.
The appeal comes after officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit launched a murder investigation on Tuesday, July 7, following the discovery of three bodies at a property in Great Denham, Bedford.
Although formal identification has not yet been completed, detectives believe the victims are Tshuma’s wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, known as Zandile, and the couple’s daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, five.
The family’s bodies were discovered after police forced entry to their £1.2m home in Carnoustie Drive following concerns they had not been seen for several days.
Detective Inspector Lee Martin, the senior investigating officer, said detectives had pursued numerous lines of enquiry and were now working with authorities in multiple jurisdictions to locate the suspect.
“We know that Mark Tshuma left the country on Saturday and is now believed to be in Zimbabwe,” Martin said.
“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 enquiry to track you down.
“Please do the right thing, come forward and hand yourself in to local authorities.”
Police said their thoughts remained with the victims’ relatives and friends as the investigation continues.
Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about Tshuma’s whereabouts or who witnessed anything suspicious in the days leading up to Saturday, July 4, to come forward. Officers said even seemingly minor information could prove crucial to the investigation.
Heartfelt tributes have also been paid to the two girls by their schools.
Jo Webster, head of Pilgrims Pre-Prep School, described five-year-old Nala as “a ray of sunshine” with an inquisitive personality and “wonderful sense of humour.”
“Many of our staff had known her since she was just seven months old and had the privilege of watching her grow,” Webster said.
Bedford Girls’ School head Gemma Gibson remembered Year 10 pupil Natalie as a bright and talented student who excelled in dance, music and sport.
“She was fun-loving, full of life and had a positive impact on everyone she came into contact with. She will be remembered with great warmth and affection,” Gibson said.
Floral tributes have continued to grow outside the family’s home in Great Denham, where neighbours described the tragedy as deeply shocking.
One woman who laid flowers said: “We’re really sorry to lose her. She was such a gracious mother.”
Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy earlier described the case as “a deeply distressing incident in which a mother and her two children are believed to have been murdered.”
Police have said there is nothing to indicate any wider risk to the public, although patrols have been increased in the area while enquiries continue.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Bedfordshire Police through the Major Incident Public Portal or by calling 101.
Formal identification of the victims has not yet taken place.
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