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Human remains found in suitcases bought in New Zealand auction were of 2 children: police
- Police said the bodies of the two primary school-aged victims were likely to have been in storage for several years and their relatives might not be aware they were dead
- The remains were only discovered when a family brought a trailer-load of items being sold in bulk from a storage unit
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New Zealand police on Thursday confirmed that human remains found in two suitcases bought at an Auckland auction were of two primary school-aged children, with officers vowing to find those responsible.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said the bodies were likely to have been in storage for several years and the victims are thought to have been between five and 10 years old.
The children were concealed in two suitcases of similar size, he said.
“The nature of this discovery provides some complexities to the investigation especially given the time lapsed between the time of death and the time of discovery,” Vaaelua added.
The remains were only discovered when a family brought a trailer-load of items being sold in bulk from a storage unit.
Police reiterated that the family concerned are not connected to the homicide, but are “understandably distressed by the discovery” and they have asked for privacy, Vaaelua added.
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