Saturday, 02 December 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand / Crime

Family believed to be in Korea after remains of primary school-aged children found in suitcases

NZ Herald
21 Aug, 2022 06:09 PM3 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
The homicide investigation into the two primary school-aged children found in suitcases at a Clendon Park property has expanded to South Korea. Video / 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 Herald that family of the two young children are in Asia.

In a press conference last Thursday, Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia 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," Vaaelua said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

People at the house in Manurewa 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.

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", Vaaelua said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

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."

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, Vaaelua said: "Yes, we are following positive lines of inquiry in regards to the storage unit with the assistance of the storage company."

Related articles

New Zealand

Watch: Ute barges through traffic on wrong side of Auckland motorway

21 Aug 03:07 AM
New Zealand

'Decade of hell': Parents' grief after son's suicide

21 Aug 08:23 PM
New Zealand

Surgeons forced to cancel operations as pressures hit capacity

21 Aug 06:56 PM
New Zealand|Crime

Bodies found in suitcases: Relative sought by police could face extradition

22 Aug 08:13 AM

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

"We reiterate that the occupants of the Moncrieff Ave property are not connected to their deaths," 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," Vaaelua said.

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

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

New ZealandUpdated

One person in hospital following water-related incident on Auckland’s North Shore

02 Dec 05:54 AM
New Zealand

In Grace's honour: Five years after she was killed, charity run marks birthday

02 Dec 05:50 AM
New Zealand|CrimeUpdated

‘He didn’t even run’: Robber walked away from South Auckland robbery, say witnesses

02 Dec 05:45 AM
New Zealand

Does NZ really need its defence force?

02 Dec 05:39 AM

Top toys of 2023 for kids & ‘kidults’

sponsored

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

One person in hospital following water-related incident on Auckland’s North Shore

One person in hospital following water-related incident on Auckland’s North Shore

02 Dec 05:54 AM

Emergency services responded just after 5pm.

In Grace's honour: Five years after she was killed, charity run marks birthday

In Grace's honour: Five years after she was killed, charity run marks birthday

02 Dec 05:50 AM
‘He didn’t even run’: Robber walked away from South Auckland robbery, say witnesses

‘He didn’t even run’: Robber walked away from South Auckland robbery, say witnesses

02 Dec 05:45 AM
Does NZ really need its defence force?

Does NZ really need its defence force?

02 Dec 05:39 AM
Toy trends for Christmas
sponsored

Toy trends for Christmas

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP