Police in south Wales last night were trying to unravel the last hours of two young boys found dead in a car with their father.
The bodies of Daniel Philpot (7), his brother Jordan, (3) and their father Julian (29) were discovered in the vehicle, parked in woodland in a secluded country lane.
South Wales police launched a widespread search for the trio on Monday afternoon after fire crews were called to a blaze at their semi-detached house at Beddau, near Pontypridd. Firefighters put out the fire and found the property deserted.
Police linked the deaths with a domestic dispute between Mr Philpot, a printer, and his estranged wife, Melanie (25), who lives at Llanharry, near Ponty clun. Police were working on the theory that Mr Philpot killed his sons before committing suicide.
Supt Kevin O'Neill appealed for reports of any sightings on Monday of the white Ford Escort car, between 2.30 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., when the discovery was made in Brynteg Lane on the outskirts of Beddau. The site is a mile from Mr Philpot's home.
A Home Office pathologist yesterday carried out a post-mortem examination but the cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
A retired insurance underwriter, Mr Gerald Williams (65), who lives just yards away from where the bodies were found, said he saw three police officers frantically smashing the windows of the Ford Escort in an attempt to get the occupants out.
He was upset, he said, because he could not help thinking that if he had gone down the lane earlier he might have been able to prevent the tragedy happening.
Daniel and Jordan were described by neighbours as "always lively and happy". They attended Llwntrwn Junior and Nursery School in Beddau.
One neighbour on the small estate at Heol Undeb, who did not wish to be named, said: "Their father lived by himself after the boys' mother left him a few months ago, but Daniel and Jordan used to visit him at weekends. "The boys were out on their bikes in the sunshine only yesterday and it is incredible that this has happened."
Neighbours left flowers in tribute to the two boys as police forensic experts examined the fire-damaged house.