Thursday, New Zealand police announced that human remains discovered in two suitcases purchased at an auction in Auckland were those of two children in elementary school, and officials pledged to identify those responsible.
According to Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua, it is believed that the bodies were in storage for a number of years, and the victims were likely between five and ten years old.
According to him, the youngsters were disguised in two suitcases of comparable dimensions.
Vaaelua noted, “The nature of this discovery complicates the inquiry, especially given the duration between the time of death and the time of discovery.”
The youngsters have not been named, and Vaaelua expressed sympathy for their families, who may be unaware of their deaths.
He stated, “Many of us (in the police) are parents, we have a duty to do, and we’re doing our best to identify the victims.”
“I can tell that we are making excellent progress with DNA investigations.
The investigation team is exerting every effort to identify and punish those responsible for the death of these children.
This involves determining where, when, and how, he emphasized.
When a family hauled a trailer full of stuff being sold in bulk from a storage unit, the remnants were only discovered.
Vaaelua noted that police reaffirmed that the family is not connected to the crime, but that they are “understandably distressed by the revelation” and have requested seclusion.
They are receiving assistance to cope with the trauma.
Household and personal goods discovered together with the suitcases are aiding in the identification of the victims.
Both the storage unit and the home to which the luggage were transported have been thoroughly inspected by forensic specialists.
Vaaelua also disclosed that New Zealand police are collaborating with the international criminal agency Interpol, a sign that detectives may believe the suspect or suspects are now residing abroad.
It is believed the victims’ relatives are in New Zealand.