Pukehina deaths to be referred to Coroner

The deaths of a Pukehina couple on Sunday will now be referred to the Coroner, says the Bay of Plenty District Field Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Mark Loper.

Detective Inspector Loper says the scene examination at the property has now been completed and has been returned to the family. A blessing was held at the scene last night.

He says a post-mortem was held in Auckland yesterday, however the results of the post-mortem, including the cause of death, will not be released.

"Our investigation and the post-mortem results confirm that a third person was not involved in the deaths, and it is now for the Coroner to rule on the cause of death and the circumstances leading up to the deaths.

"It is not possible nor appropriate for Police to comment on any of these details or other components of the Police investigation before the Coroner has made his ruling."

Detective Inspector Loper says Police will be continuing with remaining inquiries around the deaths in the coming days, before the file is prepared for the Coroner.

There will be no further comment from Police regarding this investigation.

ENDS

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