Probe into deaths of mother and son

Police have started a homicide investigation after a woman was found dead in a car and the body of her 5-year-old son was discovered a few hours later.

Caroline Jane Malins, 32, was found dead at Robin Hood Bay, 27km northeast of Blenheim, on Thursday afternoon, and her son, Elijah Edward Michael Beverley, was found dead in their Blenheim house. .

Detective Richard Rolton said police were treating the deaths as suspicious, but were not looking for anyone else in connection with them.

The woman's brother, Tim Malins, who lives on Waiheke Island, said the double death had devastated their family of 11 brothers and sisters.

He said it was a double blow because Ms Malins was involved in a serious car accident five years ago.

"I said my goodbyes to her in intensive care after that accident," said Mr Malins.

"I thought she was going to die then."

He said Ms Malins had her two daughters in the car at the time. One died at the scene.

Ms Malins was pregnant with Elijah at the time of crash.

Mr Malins said she had been in a custody battle over Elijah and her plan to take a nursing course in Nelson this year was stopped when the father objected to her taking Elijah away from Blenheim.

"She was such a lovely person - she was the family peacemaker and would never tell people if she was having financial difficulty."

He said Ms Malins supplemented her income by selling glass paintings she made.

Police spent yesterday carrying out a scene examination at the house.

The car Ms Malins was found in was also being checked.

A spokesman said last night police would not give any further details because of the sensitivity of the case and its effect on other family members.

A woman living near the cordoned-off house said the family had been in the house for at least 18 months, and lived quietly.

"They keep to themselves," she said.

The woman said Elijah often played with her young sons, but she had not seen him since the weekend.