A mother and her two children, who had not been seen for several days, are believed to have been murdered at their home in Great Denham, near Bedford, police said. The bodies were discovered on Monday after officers forced entry into the property on Carnoustie Drive, Bedfordshire Police reported.

Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy described the case as "deeply distressing" and confirmed that the investigation is in its early stages. He said the force is dedicating all necessary resources to determine the full circumstances surrounding the deaths and to locate the individual responsible.

Authorities have identified a suspect known to all three victims. Investigators believe the suspect has since left the country, and efforts are underway to track their whereabouts. Police have urged anyone with information, particularly those who may have seen anything unusual in the Carnoustie Drive area on the preceding Friday or Saturday, to come forward.

No further details regarding the identities of the victims or the suspect have been released, as inquiries continue. The investigation remains ongoing.