A landlady and her mother both died from asphyxiation, police have confirmed.
Avon lady Angela Holgate, 54, and her 75-year-old mother Alice Huyton were found by a relative at Mrs Holgate's home near Southport, Merseyside, on Saturday evening.
Following post-mortem examinations carried out during the night, Merseyside Police confirmed that both victims died from asphyxiation.
A murder investigation is under way and detectives continue to seek 51-year-old Barry Morrow, who was a lodger at Mrs Holgate's home, as they believe he may have information vital to the investigation.
It is feared Mr Morrow may have fled the country to France or Spain.
Police sources confirmed that he was "known to the police" and it is also understood that Mr Morrow pleaded guilty last year to assaulting a Southport woman. The victim was not Mrs Holgate or her mother.
Barry Morrow
Mrs Huyton was last seen on Friday evening when she left her home in Southport to visit her daughter. Divorced Mrs Holgate, the mother of two adult daughters, had been ill and had not been seen out of the house for the previous week.
Mrs Huyton was married and her husband, thought to be in his 80s, was said to be "devastated" at news of the deaths.
Chief Superintendent Nikki Holland, area commander for Sefton, appealed to the public for information, adding: "In particular, we are keen to trace Mr Morrow, who lived at the house for a period of time and who we believe may have vital information for this investigation."
Mr Morrow is described as white, 5ft 7in, of medium to stocky build, with straight, short brown hair that is receding, and blue eyes. Mrs Holgate's white Citroen with the registration PN11 RWK is also missing.