A NEW Forest village is in shock after two young children abducted from their dad were gassed to death by their mum.

Yaanis Mellersh, eight, and his six-year-old sister Mira were both found dead with their mum, Elke, in Turkey two years after she fled the family home with them.

Reports in Turkey say that the family died of carbon monoxide poisoning, possibly from a heater.

The farm property’s windows had been taped up and a note on the front door stated “Caution: Toxic”.

It is thought the note was written by Elke.

Devastated dad Justin Mellersh, from the New Forest, who had been hunting for his family ever since their disappearance, has flown out to the Aegean coast with his father, in a bid to bring the bodies home.

The news has sent shockwaves throughout Minstead, where the two “lively” and “loving” youngsters are believed to have lived for a short while, before moving to Germany with their parents.

Their grandparents, Nick and Jeanie Mellersh, who still live in Minstead, are popular members of the community having made it their home for more than 35 years.

Nick, a playwright, has written and produced many of the village pantomimes, while his wife Jeanie is an artist.

Friends and members of their church, All Saints, are currently rallying around to provide support.

It is understood that the youngsters, known as Yanny and Mimi, went missing with their mother nearly two years ago, from their home in Germany.

Since then 45-year-old German Elke had been wanted for child abduction by the German police and their last known location was in Hepstedt, near Bremen.

The Mellersh family never gave up their search for the children, setting up various websites in the hope of tracking them down.

The Rev Dr James Bruce, rector of New Forest Parishes of Lyndhurst, Minstead and Emery Down, said: “The community as a whole and the church in particular are totally shocked with what they are hearing. The church’s sympathy and prayers are very much with the family.”

Barry Olorenshaw, fellow Minstead playwright and a member of the All Saints Church where Nick is a lay member, said: “This news is quite shocking. My heart goes out to the whole family and I will be sending them my condolences straight away.”

Dad Justin was given full custody of the children by the German courts before they disappeared and it has been reported that Elke was suffering from mental health problems. Interpol had granted a warrant for her arrest.

The investigation into the deaths is being led by Turkish police but specialist Hampshire officers have stepped in to assist the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to liaise with family based in Minstead.

A spokeswoman added: “Specially trained family liaison officers are supporting the family and offering their assistance at this difficult time.”