MYSTERY surrounds why a father appeared to have murdered his wife and two teenage daughters before killing himself at their Bradford home.

The bodies of Jitendra Lad, 49, his wife, Duksha Lad, 44, and their daughters, Trisha, 19, and Nisha, 16, were found at their detached home in Clayton, Bradford.

Police have started a murder investigation but stressed they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the tragedy.

It is understood Mr Lad was found hanging at the property but a precise cause of death has yet to be established until forensic post-mortem examinations have been carried out.

Mr and Mrs Lad both worked for Bradford Council, their eldest daughter was a student at Leeds University and their youngest was a pupil at Thornton Grammar School.

The deaths of the family, described as being "lovely" by neighbours, has stunned their families, friends and the wider community.

Local community in mourning

Police were called to the house in Blackberry Way shortly after 8.30pm on Monday when their bodies were discovered by a concerned neighbour.

Detectives said early indications suggest the bodies might have been in the house "for some time", although some neighbours said they had seen the family on Sunday.

One of the bodies was removed from the property at about 2pm yesterday and taken away in a private ambulance.

The post-mortem results are expected today, said police.

Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson 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.

"We are now undertaking forensic inquiries to establish how these people have died.

"We are clearly keeping an open mind but from what we know at the moment we are not looking for anybody else.

"It is an extremely distressing time for the family and friends. We are trying to get as many answers as to what has happened in the property."

Superintendent Damien Miller added: "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 quiet cul-de-sac was cordoned off for a while yesterday but police were letting groups of tearful teenagers up to the modern house, where the curtains at the front and back were drawn.

A number of uniformed officers and forensic scientists could be seen working in the neat front garden and around a white Volkswagen Golf car in the drive.

Family members living nearby who spoke to the Telegraph & Argus asked for their privacy to be respected at this time. They added that they weren't sure yet what had happened.

Mr and Mrs Lad both worked for Bradford Council. Mrs Lad worked in the Committee Secretariat, a role described by Councillor Michelle Swallow (Lab, Clayton and Fairweather Green) as "key to making sure the political side is running smoothly".

Mr Lad, a watersport fanatic, was a control and payment specialist at the authority, it is believed. He was also chairman of the Friends of Thornton Grammar School.

On the school's website it says: "I would like to introduce myself to you. My name is Jitendra Lad, a parent and chairperson of Friends of Thornton Grammar School.

"I am sure that you will agree that as parents it is important that we support every aspect of our child’s education. FOTs support the school in many ways, mainly through fundraising and helping at school events and functions."

Bradford 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, friends and neighbours of this 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.

"Obviously, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage as the investigation into how it happened is continuing, but we would urge anyone who may have any information about this tragedy to contact the police immediately.”

Trisha and Nisha both went to Thornton Grammar School. Nisha was still a pupil there and was said by a neighbour to be studying for her A-levels.

In a statement released by the school, head teacher Chris Sampson said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened by these tragic deaths. Our thoughts are with the family’s relatives and friends. We will be helping the police with their inquiry in any way we can."

Trisha was a student at the University of Leeds where she was in her second year of a biochemistry degree.

A spokesman for the university said: "This is dreadful and shocking news and our thoughts are with Trisha's friends and loved ones. Staff are working with the university's counselling and chaplaincy services to help students who are affected by this tragedy and we will do all we can to support them."

Kamal Sharma, a vice-chairman on the management committee of the Shree Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, in Leeds Road, Bradford, said the family were "devoted" visitors to the temple and the Shree Prajapati Association, in Thornton Lane.

He said he believed the family were among between 700 and 800 who attended a Diwali celebration at the Leeds Road temple on Sunday.

"It is very sad," said Mr Sharma. "The family came to the temple. They were a very nice family, very devoted, and they came regularly on Sundays.

"It is very sad news, we are shocked."

He added: "I don't have any other information about any family problems, or anything like that - it is just very sad news."

Mr Sharma also said the family visited Prajapati more often than Lakshmi Narayan.