Indian-origin family of 4 found dead in UK

An Indian-origin man has been found hanging near a reservoir in east London after the bodies of his wife and twin daughters were discovered at their family home, prompting Scotland Yard to launch a probe into the mysterious deaths.

The mother, 37-year-old Shighi Rethishkumar, was found dead with her 13-year-old twin daughters Niya and Neha at their house in east London on Tuesday.

A hunt for the twins' father, Rethishkumar Pullarkattil, ended earlier today when officers from the Metropolitan Police Homicide and Major Crime Command discovered the 44-year-old hanging near a reservoir at Walthamstow in north-east London.

The family from Kerala has only been named locally and will be officially identified by the police only after their relatives in India have been contacted.

"At this stage we are awaiting the outcome of the post-mortems to confirm cause of death, which will provide further evidence of what has taken place inside the house at Grove Road," said Detective Superintendent Kenny McDonald, who is overseeing the investigation from the Command.

"However, at this stage in our ongoing investigation we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. We are making extensive enquiries to trace next of kin, who we believe to be outside of the UK," he said.

The cause of deaths remains shrouded in mystery until the post-mortem but Scotland Yard has confirmed that the three female bodies had no signs of visible injuries.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragic event. Our thoughts and sympathies are with all who knew the family.

"We are doing all that is necessary to support both staff and pupils," a Chadwell Heath Academy spokesperson said.

The family had not been seen since Sunday and neighbours had got concerned about their well-being.

The Met Police said it was initially called to the property on Monday night after concerns were raised but there was no response or signs of a disturbance at the house so the officers left.

They returned on Tuesday and broke into the property and found the bodies of the woman and the two girls.