Sian Blake: Partner Arthur Simpson-Kent 'thought to have gone to Africa' as bodies found in back garden

Bodies found in garden have not yet been formally identified

Murder squad detectives are attempting to establish whether the partner of ex-Eastenders actor Sian Blake has left the country after three bodies were discovered by police in the garden of the family home on Tuesday.

Arthur Simpson-Kent, 48, has not been seen since police interviewed him on 16 December at the couple’s home in Erith, south London, after his partner 43-year-old Sian Blake and her two sons Zachary, eight, and four-year-old Amon were last seen on 13 December.

"Inquiries are underway to establish the movements of Arthur Simpson-Kent. One line of inquiry is that he has left the country," a Met Office spokesperson said.

The Sun reports that a source said Mr Simpson-Kent, who is father to both of the boys, is on his way to Ghana.

The bodies have not been formally identified, and a post mortem will be carried out on Wednesday.

Scotland Yard is now facing questions over why it has taken more than three weeks for a homicide team to search the property thoroughly.

Officers forced their way into the actresses Erith home on 18 December, after there was no answer at the property. A missing person’s inquiry was launched the same day, but it was not classed as high risk.

She has been missing, along with her children, Zachary, eight and four –year-old Amon

The force’s professional standards team is looking into the way the investigation has been handled.

Detective Superintendent Paul Monk said: “Sadly we found three bodies in the back garden of their home address and as such, this is now a murder investigation.

Sian Blake's children, Zachary, eight, and Amon, four (PA)

”Formal identification has yet to take place, it's too early to speculate but of course the family has been told and this is obviously a very difficult time for them.

“Our efforts are continuing to find Arthur Simpson-Kent. Our appeal is to anyone who may know his current whereabouts or can assist us in finding him - we do need to speak to him as a matter of urgency.”

Ms Blake was last seen in Waltham Forest with her sons on 13 December and her car, a silver-beige Renault Scenic, was found in Calvert Avenue, Bethnal Green, east London on 3 January. But it is not clear who parked it there.

She suffered from motor neurone disease - a disease that fatally affects the spinal cord and brain - and neighbours had said she was looking weak and frail in the days before she went missing.

Next-door neighbour Sam Sanni-Alashe said: “I am in shock, I can't talk. It is really hurtful. I know the lady. I see the children playing at the back. I say hello all the time. We are not close but she was a very happy woman.

”This is a disaster and it is awful for the community. I can see everything in the garden but these last few days I have chosen not to look. When my son finds out, he will be terrified.“

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “The Directorate of Professional Standards was informed on January 4 and is working with the investigation team to fully understand the timeline of police interaction with the family.”

Ms Blake played home wrecker Frankie Pierre in EastEnders from 1996 to 1997. She also appeared in The Bill, Casualty, Doctors and Skins.