Police identify two children whose bodies were found inside suitcases

The bodies of two children discovered inside suitcases purchased at an auction of abandoned goods have been identified.

The bodies of two children discovered inside suitcases purchased at an auction of abandoned goods have been identified.

WARNING: Graphic content

The two children whose remains were found inside suitcases unwittingly bought as part of an auction for abandoned goods in a New Zealand storage unit have been identified.

Due to a suppression order, the children cannot be named, New Zealand Herald reported.

The remains of the two primary school-aged were uncovered at a Manurewa property, southeast of Auckland, on August 11.

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The bodies of the two children have been identified. Picture: NZ Herald

Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua previously said initial post-mortem examinations revealed the children were between five and 10 years old.

In a statement today, Vaaelua confirmed the identification process has been completed.

However, he said the Coroner had issued an interim non-publication order which suppressed the evidence of the identities of the children at the request of their family.

The children were between five and 10 years old and believed to have died several years ago. Picture: NZ Herald

“This order suppresses the names of the children and their relatives and evidence that may lead to the identification of the two victims.

“Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the children.”

A woman who is believed to be the children’s mother is in South Korea and could face extradition to New Zealand.

The family member is being sought by South Korean police in connection with the discovery of two children’s remains earlier this month.

A police officer told Reuters the woman was a Korean-born New Zealander who arrived in South Korea in 2018. There was no record of her departing South Korea since then.

The family of the victims have requested the children’s identities not to be made public. Picture: NZ Herald

Her whereabouts are unknown and it is unclear whether she had other relatives with her when she arrived in South Korea, Reuters reported.

“New Zealand police had requested confirmation whether the person who might be related to a crime case was in South Korea,” the police officer said, adding that given her past address and age, she could be the mother of the kids.

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

Originally published as Police identify two children whose bodies were found inside suitcases