Human remains found in the suitcase bought from Auction in New Zealand

A family who resides in South Auckland bought a suitcase. As soon as they were brought from the auction, they unpacked their new purchase and found human remains inside the suitcase.

Authorities have launched a homicide investigation and are trying to identify the remains. The family is believed not to have been involved in the incident.

It is understood that the family had gone to the storage unit and purchased a trailer-load of goods – which included the suitcases – from a local storage company last Thursday. Local news outlets reported that they were being sold as part of an attempt to clear abandoned goods out of a locker. Bidders at similar auctions typically do not get to inspect the abandoned items closely before purchasing them – with many bids placed in the hope of a surprise valuable haul.

The discovery of remains was only made after the residents brought the property back to their home, detective inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said.

Several neighbors of the family reported a “wicked smell” coming from the property before police arrived, and one neighbor who worked at a crematorium said the smell was immediately recognizable.