Belvedere deaths: Inquest shows boys were strangled

Two young boys were found strangled and their mother also found dead in their home in Belvedere, an inquest has heard.

The inquest into the deaths of Nadja De Jager, 47, and her sons Alexander De Jager, nine, and Maximus De Jager, seven, was opened and adjourned at Croydon Coroner’s Court this morning.

On Monday, March 13 a post-mortem held at King’s College Hospital gave a provisional cause of death for Nadja as suspension.

The following day, post-mortems held at St Thomas’ Hospital gave a provisional cause of death for nine-year-old Alexander and seven-year-old Maximus as compression of the neck. This is pending further investigation.

Police were called at 11.50am on Thursday, March 9 to the home in Mayfield Road.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended. Police forced entry to the address and Nadja, Alexander and Maximus were found inside. All were pronounced dead at the scene.

Next of kin were notified and they continue to be supported by specialist officers.

The Met’s Specialist Crime Command is leading the investigation.

Detectives are not seeking anyone else in connection with the investigation.

Pictured top: Nine-year-old Alexander De Jager (Picture: Met handout)