COPS in New Zealand are probing a suspected murder-suicide after a British couple were found dead in their home.
Ben and Claire Anderson were discovered at a property in the upmarket Wellington suburb of Roseneath late on Monday night.
Their bodies were found after a concerned family member asked officers to conduct a welfare check.
Cops forced their way into the Palliser Road home at around 10.25pm and discovered the couple dead inside.
Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the tragedy.
The deaths are currently under investigation as a possible murder-suicide, according to Detective Inspector Haley Ryan. She is urging the community to share any footage or details they may have that could assist in the case.
She said: “Police will continue to have a presence in the area as we work to understand the reasoning behind this tragic incident.
Local residents are being asked to provide any CCTV recordings of traffic in the Roseneath area, specifically along Palliser Road and nearby streets, as this could be crucial to the investigation.
The couple, believed to be in their 30s or 40s, had only recently made the permanent move to New Zealand and were said to be loving their new life.
Neighbour Emma Prestidge said the couple were setting up for a fresh start.
Inspector Ryan mentioned in an interview with RNZ that the individuals involved had recently made the decision to relocate from London and settle permanently in the area. Their belongings had been packed up and shipped, indicating their intention to establish a new life in the community.
“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.”
Claire, a former teacher, had been splitting her time between New Zealand and the UK before settling in Wellington in December, The New Zealand Herald reports.
Meanwhile, Ben had already been living and working in the science sector.
Ben’s LinkedIn profile listed him as a principal research scientist at the Building Research Association of New Zealand (Branz) since January 2024, with previous roles at the University of Southampton and University of Otago.
The couple were known as warm, adventurous and outdoorsy, neighbour Prestidge said.
They had adult children in New Zealand and were considering moving to Otago to be closer to them.
“The lady said to me that, you know, previously in London, she kind of felt a little bit unsafe wherever she went. In New Zealand, she just felt … a sense of calm and just felt like she was able to really enjoy her life here,” Prestidge added.
Another neighbour, Paul Prestidge, told RMZ they were “very friendly people” and would often host dinner parties.
He added the couple reportedly had a son who didn’t live with them.
Their devastated landlord paid tribute, telling The New Zealand Herald: “He was a clever, caring, charming man. She was vibrant, kind, intelligent and both of them made friends wherever they went.”
“They were both absolutely wonderful human beings. Both they and their family lived life to the absolute full and were always planning or doing amazing adventures.”
“They were both such positive and incredible parents, friends, and members of many communities. We send our love and condolences to their family and friends.”
Police have completed post-mortems and will refer the case to the coroner.
Wellington District Commander Corrie Parnell said police were in touch with the couple’s family and were supporting them as they grieve.
“The family have requested privacy as they grieve their loss,” cops said.
The Sun has also contacted the UK Foreign Office for more information.
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
