Human remains found in suitcases bought by family at auction

Police in New Zealand are investigating after an unspecified number of human remains were found inside suitcases bought at an auction.

A family called police last Thursday from their home in South Auckland after making the grisly discovery.

The luggage was auctioned as part of a storage unit sale – a common practice for the abandoned contents of units with unpaid bills. Buyers can be unaware of what they are buying.

Officers do not believe the unsuspecting family were involved in the suspected homicide.

Images show the house taped off and a crime scene tent being erected in the front garden.

Police official Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua explained: ‘The priority for police is to confirm the identification of the deceased so that we can establish the full circumstances behind the discovery.’

A post-mortem examination is underway and forensic investigators are trying to determine the number of victims.



One neighbour said there had been a ‘wicked smell’ in the area just after midday on Thursday. As a former crematorium worker, he recognised the smell as that of a body.

‘I knew straight away and I thought where is that coming from,’ he told the news website Stuff.

The owner of a storage unit in the Papatoetoe suburb told Stuff that the business is cooperating with police.

Media outlet Newshub reported that police could be dealing with remains from multiple bodies.

Mr Vaaelua added that police believe ‘there is no immediate risk to the public in regards to this incident’.

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