Two boys who were found dead with mom had been strangled, reveals probe
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BELVDERE, LONDON: An inquest heard that two little boys were found dead in their home after being strangled, and their mother was also found dead. On March 9, after police forcibly entered their home in Belvedere, south-east London, they found the bodies of Nadja de Jager, 47, and her sons Alexander, nine, and Maximus, seven. However, it is thought that the mother first strangled or suffocated her children to death and then killed herself.
In contrast to their mother, who died by suspension, a medical term that encompasses hanging, as the preliminary cause of death, post-mortem investigations of the boys' bodies confirmed ligature compression to the neck. At around 11.50 am, when worries about their wellbeing were voiced, they were discovered dead at the location. The youngsters were discovered in the Mayfield Road home's upstairs bedroom, according to Detective Inspector Oliver Stride of the Metropolitan Police's specialized crime command, as reported by The Independent.
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Father identified the boys' bodies
He said, "Maximus was on the bed while Alexander was lying on the floor next to the bed. The provisional cause of death for both of them was given as ligature compression to the neck pending further investigation. Nadja's provisional cause of death was given as suspension." He added that the boys' father, whose name was not given, identified the children's bodies.
A representative at Belvedere Infant and Junior School paid tribute by saying, "It is with great sadness that we can confirm that two of our pupils, Alexander and Maximus De Jager, died at home this week. Alex and Max were truly wonderful members of our school community and we will remember them with great fondness and love," as reported by Daily Mail.
'They will be hugely missed by pupils'
The tribute continued, "They were loving and caring boys who had a real hunger to learn. Both were model pupils and it was clear that they were each other's best friend. They will be hugely missed by pupils and staff alike, and forever be part of our hearts at Belvedere. Our deepest condolences are with the family and their friends during this difficult time."
According to the Metropolitan Police at the time, detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the inquiry. Senior coroner for South London, Sarah Ormond-Walshe, said in the hearing, "There is a police investigation in relation to all three deaths. The proceedings, in this case, are essentially adjourned," as per reports.