Bodies found in search for missing 'EastEnders' actress and her children

Police searching for an actress who appeared on long-running British soap opera "EastEnders" and her two children say they have found three bodies.

Sian Blake, 8-year-old Zachary and 4-year-old Amon were last seen Dec. 13.

London's Metropolitan Police said Tuesday that three bodies had been found in the yard of the family's house in southeast London. The force says its missing-persons probe is now a murder inquiry.

Police say they are seeking Blake's partner, Arthur Simpson-Kent, who disappeared after speaking to detectives on Dec. 16.

Blake, 43, appeared in "EastEnders" in 1996-97 as the divisive character Frankie Pierre, and had roles in other British TV dramas.

This is not the first time the British soap has dealt with a missing cast member. In March 2012, Gemma McCluskie went missing and the “EastEnders” cast started a social media campaign to help find her. McCluskie’s body was found several days later. In 2013, her brother was found guilty of her murder.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.