Homeowners find human remains in goods bought at New Zealand auction
A murder investigation is continuing in New Zealand after human remains were discovered at an Auckland house among goods brought back from a storage container auction.
Police said last Thursday a family from Manurewa, a suburb in south Auckland, brought a storage unit full of "unowned property" to their address in a trailer.
Human remains were reportedly found in suitcases from the storage unit of abandoned items.
The remains may have be from multiple victims, a source told Newshub. However, New Zealand Police have not issued a statement on the investigation since last Friday.
Police do not believe the Manurewa homeowners were involved in the death of the unidentified person or persons.
"A post-mortem examination is underway and this is expected to be completed over the coming days," Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said in a statement on Friday.
"The priority for police is to confirm the identification of the deceased so that we can establish the full circumstances behind the discovery.
"This will also lead to the advising of next of kin. Given the nature of the discovery, this might take some time."
Police do not believe there is any immediate risk to the public in relation to the discovery.
Neighbours notice 'rotten smell'
The trailer of storage unit items was picked up by the Manurewa residents last week and they were unaware of what was inside, Stuff reported.
Before police arrived at the scene on Thursday afternoon, neighbours noticed a disturbing smell coming from the property.
One neighbour told Stuff he used to work for a crematorium, so he recognised what the stench was. He said it was a strong "rotten" smell.
Another neighbour said her son saw a suitcase being removed from a trailer at the home by the occupants and bags were later put in a forensic tent.
The homeowners had moved into the property around six months ago, a neighbour told RNZ.
“I feel sorry for the family because they’ve got nothing to do with it,” another neighbour told Newshub.
“And whoever did do it, come on, front up. It’s a bit unfair, bro. It’s horrific, f***ing scary.”
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