Disturbing twist in children's suitcase homicide
<p dir="ltr">The two suitcases that contained the bodies of siblings in Auckland were reportedly moved from one unit storage to another before the harrowing discovery. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Two children’s bodies were discovered in suitcases by an Auckland family who purchased the bags at an auction on August 11.</p>
<p dir="ltr">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, <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/suitcases-containing-childrens-remains-were-moved-between-storage-units-a-year-before-harrowing-discovery/RWQQNLAU6HINPF6A5L6F2EOMIQ/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a> reported.</p>
<p dir="ltr">A worker told the publication that there were dead flies and rats around the bags but no smell to indicate anything more damning.</p>
<p dir="ltr">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 <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/woman-arrested-in-relation-to-dead-children-found-in-suitcases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">woman was arrested</a> by local police following a request from NZ Police. </p>
<p dir="ltr">"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.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"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).</p>
<p dir="ltr">“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.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">At the time, Detective Inspector Vaaelua suggested that the children were aged 10 and five respectively when they died four years ago.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The family who purchased the property where the suitcases were found are not involved in the deaths and have asked for privacy.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Images: NZ Herald</em></p>
