Three British children who were reported missing with their father have been found dead, sources said.
Ceri Fuller (35) left his home in Milkwall, near Coleford, Gloucestershire, last Thursday with his son Sam (12) and daughters Becka (10) and Charlotte (6) who is also known as “Charlie”.
Gloucestershire Police launched a missing persons inquiry and appealed for sightings of Mr Fuller and his children.
Sources said the children had been found dead in the West Mercia Police area, near Shrewsbury.
Gloucestershire Police had appealed for sightings of the family, saying they were believed to have been travelling in a red Land Rover Freelander, registration number CK51 YUV.
“The vehicle has since been spotted in the Shrewsbury/Welshpool area, but areas police suspect the family may be also include Barmouth and Harlech, in north-west Wales,” a force spokesman said.
“Mr Fuller is described as being a white man, approximately 180cm (5 feet 11 inches) tall, of stout build, with short strawberry blonde hair, and a stubbly beard.
“He wears glasses and a wedding band, smokes roll-ups and has a Celtic/tribal design tattoo on his upper arm/shoulder.
“Anyone who has seen the family or has information that could help locate them is asked to ring Gloucestershire police on 101 quoting incident number 62 of July 13th.”
The Birmingham Mail reported that the three children all died from stab wounds after being found this morning in a wooded area in Pontesbury Hill, eight miles from Shrewsbury.
The newspaper also reported that Mr Fuller has also died after apparently falling from a cliff at a quarry in the area.
In a statement, West Mercia Police said: “West Mercia Police are investigating the deaths of an adult and three children after the discovery of four bodies in the Pontesbury area of Shropshire this morning.
“The bodies were found in a wooded area by a police officer shortly before 10am today.
“The Deputy Coroner for Shropshire, Andrew Barkley, has been informed and officers have sealed off the area. Forensic examinations of the area will take place in due course.”
Police said next of kin had been told, but formal identification had not yet taken place.
In a statement Gloucestershire Police said: “Officers searching for missing man Ceri Fuller and his three children, from the Forest of Dean, have been made aware of the discovery of four bodies in Pontesbury, Shropshire, shortly before 10am this morning.
“While the bodies have yet to be formally identified, Mr Fuller’s family have been informed of the discovery and are being supported by police family liaison officers.
“The investigation into the deaths is being conducted by West Mercia Police.”
PA