Tributes have been paid to two boys who were found dead in their house with their mother.
Alexander De Jager, nine, and his brother Maximus, seven, were pronounced dead at the scene in Mayfield Road, Belvedere, London, alongside their mum Nadja De Jager. Belvedere Infant and Junior School, where the boys attended, described the youngsters as 'model pupils' who were 'wonderful members of the school community'.
A spokeswoman for the school said: “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.
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“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.”
The school added: “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.
“The death of any child is a terrible tragedy, but our school community will come together to grieve and to be there for each other. Belvedere is a warm and loving place and we will come through this together.” The school said they plan a “fitting memorial” for the boys in the near future.
Police forced entry into the property after being called about concerns for the welfare of the occupants at the address at around 11.50am.
The force said next-of-kin had been informed and post-mortem examinations would be arranged in due course. The Met’s Specialist Crime Command is leading the investigation.
A spokesman for London Ambulance Service (LAS) said they sent a medic in a fast response car and two incident response officers to the scene after being called at 12.16pm.
Detective Inspector Ollie Stride said: “This is a deeply sad case and we are continuing to establish the circumstances that led to this tragic incident. Our thoughts today are very much with the family as they struggle to come to terms with their loss and we ask that their privacy be respected at this extremely difficult time.”
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