Human remains discovered at a South Auckland home last week had been brought there unwittingly among the contents of a recently acquired storage locker, Stuff understands.
Police launched a homicide investigation after the remains were found at a property in Moncrieff Avenue in Clendon Park about 1.30pm on Thursday.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said the discovery was made after the residents "brought unowned property to their address".
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The residents were not thought to be involved, police said.
It is understood the residents went to the storage unit and picked up a trailer-load of goods, taking it home without realising its grim nature.
A trailer could be seen on the front driveway of the property while police investigated on Friday.
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The storage company involved has been approached for comment.
On Monday morning, a family member at the property said they had been told to not talk to media by police but confirmed they had been offered victim support.
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Neighbours of the property commented on the "wicked smell" coming from the home before police arrived.
One neighbour said her son had spotted a suitcase being removed from a trailer at the property by the house's occupants.
She said the bags loaded off the trailer were put in a forensic tent. Detectives and forensic teams had been seen standing back in shock, she said.
A second neighbour said there had been a "wicked smell" in the area just after midday Thursday. As a former worker at Manukau crematorium, he recognised the smell as that of a body.
"I knew straight away and I thought where is that coming from," he said, referring to the property.
Police arrived soon after and a hearse had been at the property, he said.
This story first appeared on Stuff and is republished here with permission.
