The bodies were discovered when a foul smell started emanating from the house. The three have been identified as Jayshree Gawde (32), her daughter, Sunita (9) and son Yogesh (8).

According to the statement given by the neighbours to the police, the three were allegedly killed by a duo who had come to their residence on Wednesday evening. The duo, whose identity is yet to be established, were on a red coloured motorcycle and came to meet Jayashree and her children on Wednesday.

They stayed with the family all night and left in the morning after locking the room the Gawdes stayed in. According to the FIR lodged with the police, the bodies were discovered on Saturday afternoon after the neighbours informed the police.

When the police broke open the door the bodies were lying in a decomposed state and covered with sheets. A post-mortem revealed that the three had been strangled to death.

Jayshree, who lived near the Alandi Nakoda Bahiroba Mandir with her two children, was separated from her husband about two years back. The police are yet to establish the motive behind the murder. Police sub-inspector Vijay Singh Gaikwad of Chakan police is investigating.