The bodies of a man and two young boys were found dead on an Eastbourne beach before the body of their mother was discovered with stab wounds more than 80 miles away in London.
Scotland Yard launched a murder investigation after the woman, believed to be in her 40s, was found at her home in South Road, Twickenham, just before 6pm on Monday.
Detectives attempted to trace her husband, 57, and two boys, aged seven and 10.
They were contacted by Sussex Police officers who had found the bodies of a man and two children at Birling Gap seafront, in Eastbourne, East Sussex, around 5pm on the same day.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Whilst formal identification awaits, police believe that they are the deceased woman's immediate family."
No arrests have been made and the Met said officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.
A vehicle was recovered near the seafront scene by Sussex Police and a crime scene remains in place at the Twickenham address.
Post-mortem examinations have yet to take place and next of kin have been informed.
