Police have identified a mother and two boys who were found dead at a house in south London, describing it as a “deeply sad case”.
Nadja De Jager, 47 and her sons, Alexander, nine, and seven-year-old Maximus, were pronounced dead at the scene in Belvedere, south London, after officers forced their way in on Thursday.
The Metropolitan police said the ambulance service had also attended after officers were called shortly before noon on Thursday amid concerns for the welfare of occupants of a property in Mayfield Road.
Detectives are not seeking anyone else in connection with the investigation, and next of kin have been informed.
Belvedere Infant and Junior school paid tribute to the children.
A spokesperson said: “Alex and Max were truly wonderful members of our school community and we will remember them with great fondness and love.
“They were loving and caring boys who had a real hunger to learn. Both were model pupils and it was clear that they were each other’s best friend.”
DI Ollie Stride, the investigating officer, said: “This is a deeply sad case and we are continuing to establish the circumstances that led to this tragic incident.
“I would like to thank the local community for their cooperation while our officers go about their inquiries.
“Our thoughts today are very much with the family as they struggle to come to terms with their loss and we ask that their privacy be respected at this extremely difficult time.”
Three forensic science officers left the house on Friday and started searching a silver Mitsubishi truck. A handbag on the front passenger seat was searched and two children’s car seats were seen in the back. A children’s scooter was stored in the boot.
Marion Beazer, who lives in Mayfield Road, said the deaths were an “absolute tragedy” and she believed the mother and her sons had lived at the house for about five years.
Despite this, she said she had “no idea of their names”, but added: “It’s an absolute tragedy to lose two young boys.”