Remains of two children found in suitcases bought by family at auction, New Zealand police say

Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua during a press conference on Thursday.

(CNN) --

New Zealand police have launched a homicide investigation after the remains of two children were found in suitcases bought by a family at an online auction, authorities said Thursday.

In a statement, police said they were alerted to the case last week when the family from the southern Auckland suburb of Manurewa reported finding human body parts in various items they bought from a store.

The family is not connected to the children's deaths, police said, and they are "understandably distressed."

The children, who were probably between 5 and 10 years old, may have been dead for several years, perhaps three or four, Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said at a news conference on Thursday.

Post-mortem examination is underway to try to determine the identity of the children, Vaaelua said.

Investigators are also looking for clues about how, when and where the children died.

Vaaelua said police were working with Interpol and opened investigations with overseas agencies, but initial investigations suggest the victims' relatives are in New Zealand.

"I really feel sorry for the victims or the family of these victims. And, right here, right now, there are family members who don't know that their loved ones have passed away," he added.

The case was "extremely disturbing news to the community," he said.

Police are trying to view CCTV footage that may offer some clues, though they acknowledge it may be difficult to obtain given the time that has passed.

The storage company is assisting police with their investigations, and other household and personal items sold at the storage facility are being examined for a link to the bags, police said.

New Zealand