Three children and a woman have been found dead at a house in Ashburton, which will remain under police guard overnight.
Mid South Canterbury Police Area Commander Inspector Dave Gaskin told Radio New Zealand people in the area were "extremely distressed".
Key facts:
- Police alerted after people living at the house returned home to find the bodies.
- Deaths being treated as suspicious but there's no indication at this stage that foul play was involved.
- The cordon on Thomson Street in Tinwald is expected to remain in place overnight but residents are being allowed through on foot so they can return to their homes.
- The property under investigation will remain under police guard overnight.
