Police treating deaths of woman and two young children in New Zealand as a homicide

A woman and two young children have been killed at a New Zealand home, with police treating all three deaths as homicides.

Emergency services were called to the High St property in Glenholme shortly before 10.30pm on Monday, Bay of Plenty Acting District Commander Inspector Logan Marsh said.

Two young children were found dead at the scene, while a woman was located with life-threatening injuries.

She died at the property despite “extensive efforts” to save her.

A man also found at the address was assisting police with their inquiries, and no one else was being sought.

“This was an incredibly traumatic incident for all those involved,” Marsh said.

“Our focus now is on supporting the family, our first responders and getting answers to what occurred last night.”

Armed police go door to door

Police had launched a major response in Glenholme on Monday night, during which armed officers searched neighbouring homes.

A High St resident told Stuff she and her daughter were woken about 10.30pm by police banging on her doors.

Frightened, she initially hid inside and called police, only to discover officers were behind the knocking.

“I saw a really big gun and then he said, ‘I’m a police officer’,” she said.

“I didn’t trust it at that time, then when I saw his uniform, that’s when I opened the door.

“They said they received a phone call that someone got injured from my property.

“They were looking everywhere, they opened up the cupboards, everything.”

After finding nothing, she said officers headed down her long driveway towards properties behind her home.

“I saw them there longer than they stayed at mine.”

‘I just had a feeling,’ local worker says

Neighbours told Stuff a young couple had recently moved into the property where police attention appeared to be focused.

Police remained stationed outside the property on Tuesday morning, with officers seen speaking to passing locals.

In the afternoon, a New World worker arrived at the home and spoke to police.

The woman at the property was a customer, the worker said, but she hadn’t shown up at the store to pick up her order.

“I just had a feeling,” the worker said, before leaving the scene.

Police ‘methodically working through the scene’

A detailed forensic examination was due to begin on Tuesday and could continue for several days.

“We know this event will be felt widely in the community and people will want answers,” Marsh said.

“We are methodically working through the scene, including a detailed forensic examination.

“This may take several days – the investigation team will work for as long as it takes to understand what happened and why.”

Police were supporting the victims’ family and the officers who attended what Marsh described as an “extremely confronting scene”.

Additional reassurance patrols would also be carried out across Glenholme and the wider Rotorua community over the coming days and nights.

Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said the community was “heartbroken to hear of this tragic loss”.

“As the investigation continues our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those impacted,” she said.

“This has been deeply distressing for the neighbourhood involved.

“We acknowledge our emergency services and front line staff who have responded to this horrific tragedy.”

This article has been reproduced with permission from Stuff.co.nz.