LONDON: Four members of an Indian family including two teenage girls were found murdered at their house in Bradford.

West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that a murder investigation has been launched following the discovery of four bodies at a detached property on Blackberry Way in the Clayton area.

Police were called to the house on Monday night at 8.31pm following concerns from a neighbour, who had not seen the family for some time.

In the property, police found the bodies of two adults — a 49-year-old male, Jitendra Lad, and his wife Daksha Lad (44).

The bodies of two female teenagers, Trisha Lad (19) and Nisha Lad (17) were also found. They were later confirmed as the couple’s daughters.

The family was last seen last on Friday celebrating Diwali in their house where they had been living for the past six years.

Early indications suggest the bodies may have been in the property for some time. Post mortems will now be carried out to establish the cause of the deaths. Mr and Mrs Lad both worked for Bradford Council.

Council leader David Green said, “Local people are shocked and saddened by the news of this terrible event and our sympathy goes out to the wider family. 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.”

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. 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.”

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. Additional neighbourhood officers are in the area speaking to people and offering reassurance.”

The police told: “Enquiries are at a very early stage, but police are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the enquiry. Police have sealed off the area while forensic investigations take place and this is expected to take some time.”

Locals meanwhile laid flowers outside the house.

Police will complete forensic inquiries and post mortem in a few days. Jessica Garside, a friend of Trisha, said “She was so lovely. She always had a bright smile on her face. I feel numb at the moment.”