Woman held in S Korea in connection over bodies found in New Zealand suitcases

A 42-year-old woman believed to be the mother of two children whose remains were found in suitcases bought from a storage facility in New Zealand has been arrested in connection with their alleged murders.

The woman, who has not been identified, was arrested in early hours of Thursday local time in the southeastern city of Ulsan, a South Korean police official told CNN.

The police official confirmed that the arrested woman is the same woman believed to be the children’s mother, according to earlier police reports, who arrived in South Korea several years ago and had not departed the country since.

New Zealand police said in a statement they requested an arrest warrant for the woman under the country’s extradition treaty with South Korea and have applied to extradite her to New Zealand to face charges.

“To have someone in custody overseas within such a short period of time has all been down to the assistance of the Korean authorities and the coordination by our New Zealand Police Interpol staff,” Detective Inspector Tofilau Fa’amanuia Vaaelua said in a statement.

He said the investigation had been “very challenging” and that inquiries were continuing in New Zealand and abroad.

Vaaelua said police were not going to comment further as the matter was now before the courts. Authorities in New Zealand typically do not comment on pending court cases in order to avoid the possibility of influencing the outcome.

At the time, police stressed the family who bought the suitcases were not under investigation.

(Agencies)