The West Yorkshire Police on Tuesday launched a murder investigation following the discovery of four bodies of an Indian-origin family in Bradford, north England, on Monday night, with reports suggesting that the bodies may have been at the property for some time.
The police were called to the house on Monday night following concerns from a neighbour, who had not seen the family for some time. In the property in the Clayton area, police found the bodies of two adults – 49-year-old Jitendra Lad and his wife Daksha Lad (44).
The bodies of two teenagers, said to be their daughters, Trisha Lad (19) and Nisha Lad (17), were also found. The parents were of Indian origin, but daughters were reportedly born in Britain. Their friends placed flowers outside the house.
One line of investigation is whether Jitendra Lad killed his wife and two daughters and then himself.
The parents were said to be employed with the Bradford council, while Trisha was in her second year at the University of Leeds and Nisha had recently completed her secondary schooling.
Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson, from West Yorkshire Police’s Protective Services (Crime), said: “This is clearly a significant incident and our investigation will be thorough as we piece together the events that have led to the deaths of a local family.
{{/usCountry}}Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson, from West Yorkshire Police’s Protective Services (Crime), said: “This is clearly a significant incident and our investigation will be thorough as we piece together the events that have led to the deaths of a local family.
{{/usCountry}}“The investigation is at an early stage, and while I do not want to speculate around the circumstances leading to the deaths, I am happy to confirm that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”
David Green, leader of Bradford council, said: “Local people are shocked and saddened by the news of this terrible event and our sympathy goes out to the wider family, friends and neighbours of this family”.
He added: “The husband and wife of the family, Jitendra Lad and Duksha Lad, both worked for Bradford council and councillors and employees are very upset after hearing the dreadful news of their deaths”.
Damien Miller, Superintendent Operations of Bradford District, who leads neighbourhood policing across the Bradford District, said: “Clayton is a close knit community and I understand that local people will be understandably upset by what has taken place and I would like to reassure people there is no wider danger to members of the public.