Porirua Police investigate deaths of twin babies

Porirua CIB is investigating the deaths of premature twin baby girls at a Titahi Bay house this morning.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam, head of Porirua CIB, says the circumstances in which the three months old babies died are unexplained.

"A homicide investigation is being carried out to find out when and how the wee girls died," Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam says.

Police were alerted by ambulance staff at 10.30am today to the deaths in Pikirere Street, Titahi Bay. The babies had been found dead by their parents.

"This is a very sad case," Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam says. "The parents and other family members are very distressed by what has happened.

"They are cooperating fully with us and I thank them for this."

Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam says he is not prepared to speculate on how the babies died, or comment at this stage on the circumstances in which they were found.

A post mortem is likely to be held later today.

Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam stressed the babies were loved and well cared for. Their names will not be released until all family are advised.

"The death of any child is tragic, but to lose two young ones at the same time, is very hard to deal with."

Ends

Released by:

Kaye Calder

Wellington Police District Communications Manager

Tel: 0274 373 020