FRIENDS and neighbours told of their shock yesterday after a father murdered
his wife and two teenage daughters before committing suicide at the family
home.
Jitendra Lad, 49, is believed to have stabbed 44-year-old Daksha, Nisha, 16,
and Trisha, 19, before hanging himself.
Cops think they had been dead for several days before being found at the
detached house on Monday evening after a worried neighbour raised the alarm.
A source said: “It looks like they were there for days, rather than weeks.
“It is believed that three of the victims had been stabbed, although it’s
early days. The dad hanged himself in another room.”
Police were yesterday standing guard outside the Lads’ £250,000 house in the
Clayton area of Bradford, West Yorks, as forensics officers gathered
evidence inside.
A murder probe had been launched but officers confirmed they were not looking
for anyone else.
Groups of tearful teenagers were allowed to approach the modern house. A body
was taken away for a post-mortem at 2pm.
Family friend Niraj Patel, 49, said: “I’ve known Jitendra all my life. He was
a very happy, easy-going chap, always a smile on his face. They were a
lovely family.
“I’m totally shocked. You would never believe he would have an ounce of
violence in him.”
A teenage friend of one of the girls, who did not want to be named, said:
“They were the loveliest family you could ever meet.”
Neighbour Barry Hawkins said: “They were a lovely couple and the kids were
lovely. Well-mannered. They were well respected.”
Jitendra and Daksha both worked for Bradford City Council while Trisha studied
biochemistry at the University of Leeds.
Nisha was a pupil at Thornton Grammar School, Bradford, where her dad led the
fund-raising committee.
Bradford Council leader David Green said staff who knew accounts worker
Jitendra and clerical assistant Daksha were shocked.
He said: “Councillors and employees are very upset. People are shocked and
saddened. Our sympathy goes out to their wider family, friends and
neighbours.”
Trisha’s pal Jessica Garside, 18, said: “She was so lovely, she only let good
emotions appear. I’ve never met a more genuine person. She was so bubbly.
“I feel numb. I don’t feel like it’s happened. I still feel like I’m going to
go to the bus stop one day and she’ll be there smiling. It’s heartbreaking
to know she won’t be.”
Another friend, Steph Mapplebeck, paid tribute on Twitter.
He wrote: “Trisha was one of the sweetest and kindest people I have met whilst
studying at Leeds. What a heartbreaking loss. Rest in peace.”
Melissa Taylor, president of the Faculty of Biological Sciences Society at the
university, tweeted: “Heartbreaking to hear about the death of Trisha Lad,
such a lovely, well-liked person. Rest in Peace.”
A spokesman for the University of Leeds said: “This is dreadful and shocking
news and our thoughts are with her friends and loved ones.”
Chris Sampson, headteacher of Thornton Grammar School, said: “We are deeply
shocked and saddened by these tragic deaths.
“Our thoughts are with the family’s relatives and friends.”