Fresh twist after children’s bodies found in suitcases in New Zealand

Police in New Zealand have revealed more details after the remains of two young children were found in suitcases bought by an unsuspecting family.

Police in New Zealand have revealed more details in the chilling case of children’s bodies that were found in suitcases. Picture: Dean Purcell/NZ Herald

Family members of the two children whose remains were found in suitcases are believed to be in Korea.

Sources earlier confirmed to the New Zealand Herald that family of the two young children are in Asia.

In a press conference on Thursday, Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua confirmed NZ Police were also working with Interpol as part of the homicide investigation.

“We’ve commenced inquiries with overseas agencies. I cannot state any further than that,” he said.

People at the house in Manurewa, South Auckland, where the remains of the children were uncovered by the property’s occupants on August 11, declined to comment to the Herald when a reporter visited yesterday.

Police at the property in Manurewa, Auckland. Picture: NZ Herald

A man at the property on Moncrieff Ave, Manurewa, last Tuesday morning said he was looking after the house for his immediate family who had allegedly left Auckland after making the find.

Vaaelua has also said the children were between five and 10 years old and had relatives living in New Zealand.

Police were also making “very good progress with DNA inquiries”, Det Insp Vaaelua said.

He confirmed the bodies of the children had likely been stored in the Papatoetoe Safe Store storage facility for three to four years before being discovered.

“Early indications suggest these children may have been deceased for a number of years before being found last week.”

Police say the bodies may have been stored for up to three or four years before being discovered. Picture: NZ Herald

He was, however, hesitant to reveal too many details about what police knew of the renters or owners of the storage unit over concerns it may compromise the investigation.

When asked if police knew the identity of the people who were renting the storage unit, Det Insp Vaaelua said: “Yes, we are following positive lines of inquiry in regards to the storage unit with the assistance of the storage company.”

According to police, people living at the Moncrieff Ave house brought “unowned property to their address” on August 11.

The bodies were found inside suitcases by an unsuspecting family who purchased items from an abandoned storage unit. Picture: Dean Purcell/NZ Herald

“We reiterate that the occupants of the Moncrieff Ave property are not connected to their deaths,” Det Insp Vaaelua said last Thursday.

“They are understandably distressed by the discovery, and they have asked for privacy. We are ensuring there is support in place for them.”

A neighbour earlier told the Herald there was “kids stuff in the back of the trailer”, which transported the suitcases, such as prams, toys and a walker.

“We want to reassure the community our investigation is continuing to establish the facts to ascertain the full circumstances around the deaths of these children,” Det Insp Vaaelua said.

“This includes establishing when, where, and how. The nature of this discovery provides some complexities to the investigation.”

This article originally appeared on the New Zealand Herald and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Fresh twist after children’s bodies found in suitcases in New Zealand