Horrified family finds human remains in used suitcases they bought at online auction

A family found human remains in a set of second-hand suitcases they'd bought online.

The horrified clan, from south Auckland, New Zealand, had purchased the luggage online as part of an auction to clear out unclaimed items from lockers at a storage warehouse.

The grim discovery was made when they started unpacking a delivery trailer last Thursday afternoon on their driveway in Moncrieff Avenue, Manurewa.

They then called the police.

A murder investigation has been launched, and the local force has reportedly not denied claims that the case involves "multiple victims".

Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua, a detective inspector, said the “occupants of the address are not believed to be involved in the incident”.

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It is understood there were multiple victims (NZ Herald Focus)

“We appreciate there is significant public interest in what has occurred, however, given the nature of the discovery, there are still a number of inquiries to be carried out."

He added: “The priority for police is to confirm the identification of the deceased so that we can establish the full circumstances behind the discovery.”

A police cordon was put up in front of the family’s home on Friday.

A relative told The New Zealand Herald he was minding the home, with the occupants having left the property to avoid media scrutiny.

The family had bought the luggage in an online auction (NZ Herald Focus)

A neighbour told the newspaper the smell was noticeable.

“They brought it [their purchase] back on a trailer. How did they not pick up the smell?” the neighbour asked.

“I’m a pig hunter and when a carcass goes bad it’s the same smell. That’s why I thought it was a dead animal.”

Another neighbour said a young woman, a man aged in about his 30s and an "old" man lived at the property.

On Monday police had left but large metal gates closed off the driveway.

A post-mortem examination is said to be underway.

A police spokesperson previously said: "We appreciate there is a large public interest, however, there are still a number of inquiries to be carried out before police can comment further.

"The priority for police is to confirm the identification of the deceased so that we can establish the full circumstances behind the discovery."