Deceased Waipukurau couple named

NAMED: Kevin Maulder, 68, and Patricia Maulder, 67, were found dead inside their Waipukurau home on Saturday morning. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND.

Waipukurau residents are still coming to terms with the shock discovery of two bodies at the weekend.

Kevin Douglas Maulder, 68, and Patricia Anne Maulder, 67, were found dead on Saturdaymorning after family members contacted the police.

Police cars lined the leafy street where the married couple lived, a neighbourhood populated by well-kept lifestyle blocks, many home to retired farmers.

At the bottom of the couple's tidy agapanthus-edged drive stood a security guard.

He stood next to a gate lined with police emergency tape.

These were the only obvious signs something was amiss on a usually quiet Saturday morning.

Neighbours along Porangahau Rd were reluctant to talk about the tragedy.

Mr Maulder worked at Johnson Electrical and his boss was too upset to talk to the media.

The couple also owned Sunset Dairy on Racecourse Rd for about 10 years but the company dissolved in May 1993.

Teams of police were at the semi-rural property for most of the weekend trying to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Detective Rob Jones said an investigation was launched shortly before 9am on Saturday.

A forensic team from ESR was called in to examine the couple's home. Yesterdaypolice issued a statement saying they were not seeking anyone else in connection with the deaths.

The case has been referred to the coroner.

Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker expressed sympathy but said she could not provide any more information about what happened.

"My condolences go out to the family and friends of those people involved, and also to the Police and emergency services that are involved."

She said she could not say more because "we have to respect the families and people involved in that situation".