Disturbing twist in children's suitcase homicide
The two suitcases that contained the bodies of siblings in Auckland were reportedly moved from one unit storage to another before the harrowing discovery.
Two children’s bodies were discovered in suitcases by an Auckland family who purchased the bags at an auction on August 11.
It has now been revealed that the suitcases were moved in the second half of 2021 between different storage units at the same SafeStore Papatoetoe facility, NZ Herald reported.
A worker told the publication that there were dead flies and rats around the bags but no smell to indicate anything more damning.
A SafeStore spokesperson refused to comment due to the ongoing police investigation in which a woman from South Korea, believed to be the children’s mother was arrested. The 42-year-old woman was arrested by local police following a request from NZ Police.
"South Korean authorities arrested the woman today on a Korean arrest warrant pursuant to two charges of murder relating to the two young victims," Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said at the time of the arrest.
"The arrest warrant was issued by the Korean Courts as a result of a request by NZ Police for an arrest warrant under the extradition treaty between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
“NZ Police have applied to have her extradited back to New Zealand to face the charges and have requested she remain in custody whilst awaiting the completion of the extradition process.”
At the time, Detective Inspector Vaaelua suggested that the children were aged 10 and five respectively when they died four years ago.
The family who purchased the property where the suitcases were found are not involved in the deaths and have asked for privacy.
Images: NZ Herald