A MOTHER and daughter who were found dead inside their home were believed to have been assaulted and killed before a fire was set.

A double murder investigation was launched on Friday after Dr Saman Mir Sacharvi’s body was found inside her home alongside her 14-year-old daughter Vian Mangrio.

A post-mortem examination has now revealed that Dr Sacharvi, 49, had been assaulted before her death, which occurred as a result of pressure being placed upon her neck.

Vian Mangrio’s body is still the subject of examination, with no cause of death available at present. The police have confirmed the Marsden Heights pupil's body was badly burnt.

Speaking outside the family’s home on Colne Road in Reedley, Supt Jon Holmes, Lancashire Constabulary’s Head of Major Crime, said: “This is a truly harrowing set of circumstances and my thoughts are very much with the loved ones of Dr Sacharvi and Miss Mangrio. They have my deepest condolences at this awful time.

“We are now treating the investigation as a double murder inquiry and although we are still in the relatively early stages we have a dedicated team of detectives and staff working on it. They are following a number of lines of enquiry to piece together exactly what has happened.

“I would now appeal to anyone with any information about these two deaths to get in touch with us.

 “Perhaps you have seen something suspicious close to the scene in recent days or weeks, maybe you have CCTV or dashcam footage taken in the area that you can share with us, or perhaps you think you know who may be responsible. Even if you think that the information you have is insignificant, please come and speak to us and let us be the judge.

“We also recognise that this will have caused concern in the local community and we would like to reassure residents that we have extra patrols in and around the area. If anyone has information or concerns they can approach any of our officers.”

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Anyone with information is asked to contact police as soon as possible through the dedicated Major Incident Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/0401020119P01-PO1 or on 101, quoting log 0429 of October 3rd. Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be reached anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.