An Auckland Indian community leader says people are shocked at the deaths of a woman and a man, who were fatally stabbed in Epsom on Friday.
Police outside the Epsom flat where the incident occurred. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
Police have not yet officially released the names of the two people fatally stabbed at the flat on Friday morning.
However, it is being reported that the victims are Herman Bangera and his wife Elizabeth, who immigrated from India more than a decade ago.
Auckland Indian Association president Narendra Bhana said their deaths are terrible news for the Indian community.
"I have spoken with a family who know the couple very well and obviously they are devastated just like everyone else. They're trying to find out what exactly happened.
"So the matter is with the police at the moment. Once the police finish their investigation then the community will come in and offer their support."
He said the two people who have died were well regarded within their community.
"Really friendly family - really good, very highly respected family in the community. They are churchgoers and as far as they [the friends] knew there were no issues so everybody is absolutely shocked as to what exactly happened."
A man found critically injured at the scene is under police guard in hospital, after having surgery.
He has not been charged but the police are continuing their homicide investigation.
Post-mortems were due to be carried out on the victims' bodies yesterday.