A British couple have been found dead at their home in New Zealand in a “murder suicide”, with police launching an investigation into their passing.
Claire and Ben Anderson were found on Monday night after police forced their way into a rented property in Roseneath, Wellington.
Neighbours reported hearing numerous loud bangs earlier in the evening, however said that they did not sound like gunshots.
Post-mortems were completed on Wednesday and the case will be referred to the coroner.
Claire and Ben Anderson were found on Monday night
S
Officers are not searching for anyone else in relation to the “tragic” deaths.
The couple, believed to be in their 50s, were described by their landlord as “passionate about being in NZ and giving their family the experience of living here”.
The pair moved from London to New Zealand, where they had adult children living.
Ben had been living and working in New Zealand for some time, while Claire had settled with him in December, neighbour Emma Prestidge told local media.
MORE LIKE THIS:
- British couple in 'distressing situation' after being detained in Iran on security charges
- Searles death: Post-mortem results reveal death details for British couple found dead at French home
- British couple found dead in France feared to have been killed by UK gangsters as husband revealed to be former organised crime investigator
He worked in science and she had been a teacher, Prestidge said.
She said that the couple, originally from Suffolk, were “dream neighbours”.
“My understanding is they'd finally packed up their lives in London, and all their stuff was in a shipping container, and they were kind of looking to move here for good," she said.
“They were in the next phase of their life, I guess, and ready to kind of set themselves up for the next part of their chapter, which is truly sad.”
The couple were found by officers conducting a welfare check at a property on Palliser Road
Google Street View
Her husband, Paul, said that the couple were “very friendly people” and had shared multiple dinners together.
New Zealand Police said in a statement: “Police are providing support to the family at the centre of this tragic event.
“The family have requested privacy as they grieve their loss.”
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “We have not been approached for consular assistance in this case, but our staff stand ready to support British nationals overseas 24/7.”
