Two bodies of a woman and her 2-year-old son have been discovered beheaded in Karonga, an incident which has sent shockwaves among residents there.

Police in the district say that the bodies were found alongside another body, of a man believed to be the husband, whom they suspect beheaded the two before taking his own life.

The man has been identified by the police as, 27-year-old Jonathan Mzumara, from the district.

Karonga Police Publicist Sergeant George Mulewa says, the three bodies were discovered today by some villagers who were passing by the house.

"We found the body of Jonathan Mzumara hanging from the roof at the sitting room, while bodies of the wife and son were found on the floor in a pool of blood," said Mulwa.

He adds that, the couple has been quarrelling since 2019, and that several attempts by family members to resolve their marital conflict did not yield any results

Police have identified the other two as; Mervis Kumwenda and 2-year-old Ian Mzumara.

Mental Health Expert Dr Ndumanene Silungwe says that believes that this is a sign of serious mental disorder.

“Government should focus on issues of men's mental health if we are to avoid suicidal cases in the country," said Silungwe.

All the three deceased hailed from Paramount Chief Kyungu’s area in Karonga.