A father is believed to have murdered his wife and two teenage daughters before killing himself.

The bodies of Jatindra Lad, 49, his wife, Duksha Lad, 44, and their daughters, Trisha 19, and Nisha, 17, were found at their detached home in Clayton, Bradford, on Monday night. Police launched a murder investigation but said they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the deaths.

They said early indications suggest the bodies may have been in the house “for some time”.

Officers were called to the house in Blackberry Way at 8.31pm on Monday night after they were contacted by a neighbour who was concerned that they had not seen the family recently.

Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson said: “This is clearly a significant incident and our investigation will be thorough as we piece together the events that have led to the deaths of a local family.

“We are now undertaking forensic inquiries to establish how these people have died.

I just hope there’s a god out there looking after her

“We are clearly keeping an open mind but from what we know at the moment we are not looking for anybody else.

“It is an extremely distressing time for the family and friends. We are trying to get as many answers as to what has happened in the property.”

Police at the scene in the Clayton area of Bradford, after four people were found dead.

Superintendent Damien Miller said: “Clayton is a close-knit community and I understand that local people will be understandably upset by what has taken place and I would like to reassure people there is no wider danger to members of the public.

“Additional neighbourhood officers are in the area speaking to people and offering reassurance.”

The quiet cul-de-sac was cordoned off yesterdayday but police were letting groups of tearful teenagers up to the modern house.

A number of uniformed officers and forensic scientists could be seen working in the front garden and around a white hatchback car in the drive.

Jessica Garside – a friend of Trisha – said: “She was so lovely. She always had a bright smile on her face. She was always happy.”

She said: “Even when I saw her round school she would always smile and say hello and check I’m all right. I think that was the general gist of the family.”

Garside said she thought Trisha left school last year and went to Leeds University. “She was really good at science,” she said.

“I feel numb at the moment. 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 stood there smiling as ever. it’s heartbreaking to know she won’t be. It’s just horrible.”

She added: “She’ll be missed dearly. I see pictures on Facebook of her going out in her uni life and she looks happy and now we don’t know what’s happened to her. I just hope there’s a god out there looking after her.”

The husband and wife both worked for Bradford council.

Councillor David Green, leader of the local authority, said: “Local people are shocked and saddened by the news of this terrible event and our sympathy goes out to the wider family, friends and neighbours of this family.

“The husband and wife of the family... both worked for Bradford Council and councillors and employees are very upset after hearing the dreadful news of their deaths.

“Obviously, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage as the investigation into how it happened is continuing, but we would urge anyone who may have any information about this tragedy to contact the police immediately.”

It is understood both worked as clerical officers at the council.

Both girls are thought to have attended Thornton Grammar School in Bradford.

A page on the school’s website listing its 2013 university entrants shows Trisha Lad went to the University of Leeds to study medical biochemistry.

Neighbour Barry Hawkins said: “I used to say hello to the mum and dad and I used to see the daughter go to school. They were a lovely couple and the kids were lovely. Well mannered. They were well respected.”