Four bodies discovered in Northampton house - BBC News

2 May 2011 Last updated at 13:25 ET

A murder inquiry has been launched after the bodies of four members of the same family were found in a house in Northampton.

The man and woman and two daughters - thought to be aged 18 and 12 - were found with knife wounds in Pioneer Close, Wootton, at 1800 BST on Sunday.

Police said more than 30 officers were involved in the investigation.

Officers confirmed the man was a lecturer at a university in Manchester but have not revealed his identity.

Police said the last known contact from a member of the family - who are of Chinese descent - was on Friday.

Curtains drawn

Detectives are investigating a comment posted on Facebook which appears to have been made by the eldest daughter.

The curtains at the house were drawn over the weekend and police went to the house after receiving reports that the family had not been seen.

Officerss said the family's next of kin had not yet been traced.

Post-mortem examinations of the bodies are expected to take place later.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said: "At this moment in time the motive behind the deaths does not appear to be due to burglary or robbery.

"Local officers are conducting house-to-house inquiries and are liaising with residents and local people to offer reassurance and advice over any safety concerns.

"We do not believe there is any risk to the wider public."

The area surrounding the house has been sealed off.

A spokesman for Manchester Metropolitan University said it was assisting police following the deaths.