Detectives say that the bodies of two young children were found in two suitcases that were bought at auction in New Zealand.
The victims were believed to have been between the ages of five and ten when they died, and their bodies had likely been in storage for several years, they said.
The cases’ recovered items are being examined in an effort to identify them.
The remains were discovered after a family in South Auckland opened the suitcases they had purchased last week.
According to Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua, the children were hidden in two luggage that were of a similar size.
“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,” he said.
In addition to using personal and household items discovered alongside the cases to identify the deceased children, authorities are reviewing hours of CCTV footage. But they worry that because of how much time has passed, important events might have been lost.
Det Insp Vaaleua stated that New Zealand police were collaborating with the international criminal police organization Interpol, but it is believed that relatives of the victims are in the country.
Det Insp. Vaaelua remarked, “This is no easy investigation.”
“What I can say is we are making very good progress with DNA inquiries.
It is believed that the family who discovered the deaths went to the storage facility last Thursday and bought a trailer-load of goods, which included the luggage.
Det Insp Vaaelua emphasized that although they were upset and receiving assistance, they had no relation to the deaths.
Forensic specialists have carefully inspected the property where the luggage was taken from as well as the storage facility.
Image Credit: Getty
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