Bodies of boy, three, and father found in Portugal in suspected murder-suicide

Father, who was German, had recently picked up son from British mother, from whom he was separated

Portuguese police are investigating a suspected murder-suicide after the remains of a three-year-old British-German boy were found in a burned-out car close to the body of his father, who is thought to have shot himself.

According to local media, the bodies were discovered on Sunday afternoon in mountains near the village of Santa Margarida da Serra, 100km (60 miles) south-east of Lisbon, in the Grandola municipality.

In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 and the domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the US, the suicide prevention lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 and the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org