Police opened a homicide investigation after finding human remains in two suitcases of similar size and, this Thursday, confirmed that they corresponded to two children between five and ten years old (NZ Herald*).
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Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said the bodies had probably been stored there for several years.
“The nature of this discovery presents some complexities to the investigation, especially given the time that passed between the time of death and the time of discovery,” Vaaelua said.
The remains were found when a family took home a trailer full of items sold at a warehouse auction. Police said the purchasing family was not linked to the murder but was “understandably distressed by the discovery” and asked for privacy.
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The personal items found along with the suitcases help to find clues to identify the victims.
Both the warehouse and the house from which the suitcases were taken are being examined by forensic experts.
Vaaelua highlighted that New Zealand police are working with the international agency Interpol.
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Police suspect that the victims' family members are in New Zealand. The inspector showed compassion to them because they might not have known that the children had died.
“We are doing our best to identify the victims… what I can say is that we are making very good progress with the DNA investigation,” he said. “The investigation team is working hard to hold the person or people responsible for the deaths of these children accountable,” he added.
(with AFP)
