Papatoetoe tragedy: Family say couple found dead were having marital issues

The bodies of Sherine and Ricky Nath were found at their Papatoetoe home on Monday. Photo / Facebook

Police have named a couple found dead at a house in South Auckland this week - as their 4-year-old son continues to fight for his life in hospital.

The pair have been named as Sherine Nath, 32, and her husband Ricky Nath, 34. Their deaths have been referred to the Coroner.

On Monday, two days before the start of the new year, their 4-year-old son, whose name has not been released, was found critically injured inside a bedroom at a house on Sunnyside Cres in Papatoetoe.

Near him lay the body of his mother. His father would later be found dead inside the garage next door.

Only days before, neighbours had seen the victims enjoying their Christmas, as the energetic boy played on his bike.

Sherine Nath has been formally identified as one of two adults found dead at a property in Papatoetoe on Monday. Photo / Facebook

Ricky Nath had also been seen on Sunday morning installing a new trampoline outside.

On Monday, the boy was carried out of his home with what looked to be lacerations on his head.

"He looked lifeless," a Sunnyside Cres resident told the Herald.

The boy, too young to have started school, has been in a critical condition at Starship Children's Hospital since he was found that morning on December 30.

A policewoman stands guard outside a property on Sunnyside Cres, in Papatoetoe, where the bodies of two adults and a critically-injured 4-year-old boy were found on Monday. Photo / Dean Purcell

Sherine Nath worked at Fisher & Paykel and studied at Waitakere College, West Auckland.

Ricky Nath is originally from Fiji. His mother told The Fiji Times the Naths had been married for a decade, but were having problems.

"I prayed for my son's marriage life for the past nine months but I could not save him."

The bodies of Sherine and Ricky Nath were found at their Papatoetoe home on Monday. Photo / Facebook

Her son shared he was having marital problems earlier in the year and asked for his family's assistance and prayers, she said.

"This is why I cannot stop crying, because I fasted and prayed for his marriage life ever since he relayed the news to me."

She said her son - who she last spoke with on Christmas Day - moved from Fiji to New Zealand in 2006, where he met the woman who would become his wife.

The family was shocked and devastated to hear the news of their deaths, she told the newspaper.

"Our son was a friendly person and he had a heart for everyone - especially his family."

Funeral arrangements are being made for Ricky Nath, whose body is still in Auckland, but whose family and friends are understood to be trying to get to Fiji for his parents' sake.

Sherine Nath, 32, pictured while pregnant. She has been formally identified as one of two adults found dead at a property in Papatoetoe on Monday. Photo / Facebook

Friends pay tribute to devoted mum

Friends and colleagues of Sherine have posted tributes online about a young woman who loved her son.

One woman said she had worked with her friend - who she nicknamed "Sheshe" - for years and was in shock about news of her death.

"My heart aches as I've heard the news today. Just look at that beautiful smile, my gosh, Sheshe. I did not want to believe it.

"Sheshe - the joy in your eyes every time you talk about your son ... Love and miss you so much. My prayers that our heavenly father heals baby.

"Fight, baby boy, fight," she wrote.

A notice for Sherine's funeral has been posted online for family and friends of the young woman.

She will be farewelled at a service in Wiri, Manukau, on Sunday afternoon before being cremated.