Alice Ding died from stab wounds, police have revealed A suspect in the investigation into the murders of a couple and their two daughters has been named by detectives.
Police said Anxiang Du, 52, was being sought in connection with the deaths of the family who were found stabbed in their home in Pioneer Close, Wootton, Northampton, on Sunday night.
The family was named locally as college lecturer Jifeng Ding, his wife Helen Chui, and daughters Alice and Xing.
Police said Mr Du, last seen on 29 April, had left a suicide note.
Mr Du, who is from the West Midlands area, left a note to his family inferring that it was time to say goodbye.
Police said they were still looking for a murder weapon.
Mr Du was described by police as a business associate of Ms Chui and of Chinese descent.
He has a slim build and wears a baseball cap to hide a bald patch on his head.
Earlier, police said they did not think the family were victims of a random attack.
They are believed to be investigating the background of the family – who are also of Chinese descent – to try to establish a motive for the murder.
Police also want to trace a silver five-door Vauxhall Corsa, registration BG60 PMO, that was hired by one of the family members and was last seen on Friday.
A tribute page set up on Facebook to Nancy, 18, who has the Chinese name of Xing, and Alice, 11, has been joined by more than 1,500 people.
Detective Superintendent Glyn Timmins said the public should not approach the suspect Anxiang Du
On a separate page, comments have been made by students at Manchester Metropolitan University in praise of Xing and Alice’s father Jifeng, who was known as Jeff.
Helen Chui is believed to have worked locally as a teacher.
Manchester Metropolitan University said it was “shocked and saddened by the news of the death of Dr Jeff Ding”.
“As a senior lecturer, Jeff was a popular and dedicated member of staff who joined the university in 2004,” a university spokesman said.
“Jeff will be very sadly missed by all his colleagues in the division of chemistry and environmental sciences, all our staff, students and his friends at Manchester Metropolitan University and by the wider academic and research communities.”
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.