Breakthrough in the mystery of two little children who lay dead in suitcases for FOUR YEARS before being found in an abandoned storage unit.
- Arrest in South Korea over discovery of bodies of two children in suitcases in NZ
- Woman, 42, to remain in custody as police will apply for her extradition to NZ
- Bodies of boy and girl found in suitcases by Auckland family at a storage unit
- A number of inquiries in New Zealand and also overseas yet to be completed
A woman has been arrested in South Korea over the deaths of two children discovered inside suitcases in south Auckland.
South Korean authorities arrested the 42-year-old woman on Thursday on an arrest warrant following a request from NZ Police.
The arrest comes a month after the children’s remains were discovered in suitcases by an Auckland family at a Manurewa storage unit on August 11.
‘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,’ Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said.
‘In the meantime, there is a number of inquiries to be completed both in New Zealand and overseas.’
Investigators also acknowledged the ongoing assistance of South Korean authorities.
‘Police would also like to acknowledge the overwhelming support from the public since the commencement of a very challenging investigation,’ a statement read.
‘To have someone in custody overseas within such a short period of time has all been down to the assistance of the Korean authorities and the co-ordination by our NZ Police Interpol staff.’
‘As the matter is now before the Court, Police are not in a position to make any further comment.’
The grisly discovery of the boy and girl, thought to be aged between five and 10 when they died four years before being found on August 11. The news made headlines around the globe.
A family who successfully bid for the contents of a storage unit from Safe Store Papatoetoe at auction found the bodies inside two similar-sized suitcases when they were sent to their Clendon Park home.
The family who opened the suitcases are not under suspicion.
It was recently revealed the father of the children found rotting in unclaimed suitcases won at auction died from cancer before his wife left for South Korea.
The couple, whom police have confirmed were both from South Korea had married in New Zealand.
More to come.
A family from Manurewa, in south Auckland bid in an auction on August 11 and won the unit’s contents before making the shocking discovery human remains were inside
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