Woman extradited to New Zealand in suitcase murders case

The bodies were discovered in September.

A woman has been extradited from South Korea to New Zealand and is due to appear in court after being charged with the murder of two children whose bodies were discovered in suitcases bought from an auction. New Zealand police have said that "three police officers travelled to South Korea to transport the woman" and since arriving at Auckland Airport, she has been taken to Manukau Police Station. Seoul's justice ministry noted that any key evidence they have has been handed over to New Zealand officials. "We hope that the truth of this case, which has received worldwide attention, will be revealed through a fair and strict judicial process in New Zealand," said an official in Seoul. The 42 year old suspect is now set to appear in court on Wednesday, with police saying: "She will be held in custody overnight when she will then be expected to appear in the Manukau District Court on two charges of murder." The woman was arrested in South Korea in the city of Ulsan back in September only weeks after New Zealand police discovered the remains of the children in Auckland. The bodies were first discovered by a family after they bought a trailer-load of items at an auction for abandoned goods, which included the suitcases. Police have since said that the bodies were likely there for several years and stressed that the family who discovered them were not in connection with the murders. They are receiving support now to deal with the horrific discovery. Earlier this month Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the case as a "tragic set of circumstances".

Related links:

• New Zealand family find two bodies in second hand suitcases
• Woman linked to children's remains found in suitcases