Two sons were strangled to death and found dead in an upstairs bedroom before their mum's body was found in the same property, a coroner has said today.
Croydon Coroner's Court confirmed two sons Alexander, nine, and Maximus, seven died from "ligature compression of the neck" and were found in an upstairs bedroom earlier this month, as an inquest into their deaths opened today.
They were found dead alongside their mum Nadja De Jager, 47 in the London property. Her provisional cause of death was given as suspension, a medical term which includes hanging.
The family were found dead on March 9 after Police were called to a terraced house in Belvedere, south-east London at 11.50pm after concerns were raised about the boys' welfare.
Officers from the Met Police had to force their way into the house.
Detective Inspector Ollie Stride described the scene to the court.
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."
DI Stride added: "Nadja’s provisional cause of death was given as suspension."
Senior coroner for South London, Sarah Ormond-Walshe, told the hearing: "There is a police investigation in relation to all three deaths. The proceedings in this case are essentially adjourned."
It is likely to conclude in six months. Once that has happened it will be decided whether a full inquest needs to take place.
DI Stride said the boys’ father, whose name was not given, identified the boys’ bodies.
In a moving statement after the tragedy, the Belvedere Infant and Junior School described the boys as "truly wonderful" and "loving and caring" brothers.
After the three bodies were found, detectives said they were not actively seeking anyone else in connection with the investigation.
Alexander and Maximus were "model pupils" and "each other's best friend", their school said at the time in a tribute.
A spokesperson for Belvedere Infant and Junior School said: "Alex and Max were truly wonderful members of our school community and we will remember them with great fondness and love. 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 and in due course we will share details of a fitting memorial for the brothers at Belvedere.
"For now, our immediate priority has been to make sure we have support in place for the children and staff to help them come to terms with what has happened, including through specialist counselling."
Devastated neighbours in a "close-knit community" spoke of their shock at what happened at the time.
Marion Beazer lived opposite the family and said they were a “normal family” who "never caused any issues in the street."
She added: "Seeing the kids toys out the front tugs on the heartstrings. It’s just dreadful."
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said at the time: "I used to see the grandmother wheeling the two kids around in a wheelchair.
"And I used to see the family walking up to the park and the post office and would say hi. But they kept to themselves really.
"It's awful. It’s just too close to home.
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