UK: Family of four found murdered

Police launched an international manhunt today after a mother and her three children were found murdered at their family home near Manchester, where police believe the bodies may have been lying undiscovered for up to four weeks.

Detectives want to trace Rehman Arshad (aged 36), a taxi driver, who is wanted in connection with the deaths of the victims.

The bodies of the woman and her three children – two boys and a girl, aged between five and 11 – were found by police at a four-bedroom terraced house in Turves Road, Cheadle Hulme, near Manchester.

All police forces in Britain have been put on alert to try to trace Mr Arshad and Greater Manchester Police are also in contact with forces abroad.

Detective Superintendent Martin Bottomley said it is possible the wanted man is driving a silver 320 BMW sports coupe with the registration SC06 HLZ. He has not been seen for up to four weeks.

Mr Bottomley said police did not yet know if he was the husband and father of the murder victims.

“We are keen to trace the fifth occupant of the house, Mr Arshad. We are concerned for his welfare. We are treating it as a murder inquiry, therefore we need to speak to him.

“There are a number of strands to the inquiry but the most immediate one is to trace the whereabouts of Mr Arshad.”

Mr Bottomley said police had been called to the house two days before the bodies were found at 5pm on Sunday afternoon, but when police first called there was no "immediate concern" for the safety of the family.

Police believe they know the identities of the murder victims but have not yet released their names.

Mr Bottomley said the family had not been seen for up to four weeks before they were found and the bodies had lain there for “some time”.

He said a cause of death had not yet been established and post-mortems were yet to take place adding: “The bodies may have been lying there for up to four weeks and you can imagine in the hot weather we have been faced with a devastating scene.”

He appealed for anyone who sees the missing man to contact police immediately.

He added: “We have alerted every police force in the country. We want to speak to him in relation to the horrendous events in the house. We are liaising with forces abroad.

“If anybody has any information or sighted any members of the family up to four weeks ago, please contact police.”