KEY POINTS:
On the surface, all appeared well with the popular Tomonaga family.
People that knew the Japanese family, who made their home in Christchurch more than 20 years ago, described them as kind, polite, generous people who were always smiling and impeccably dressed.
They loved their sport, especially baseball and bowling, and often arrived at events with packed lunches of Japanese food that they would happily share with those around them.
When Junichi Tomonaga, 58, his wife Keiko, 60, his mother Michiko, 80, and boarder Kinuko Hanai, 37, were all found dead in their Christchurch home after a fire on Monday morning, many were shocked and saddened, yet not everyone was surprised.
Because beneath their dignified front, the Tomonaga family was suffering from severe financial problems.
Police have still to determine how they died, but murder-suicide or a suicide pact could be a possibility.
Junichi Tomonaga began driving, cleaning and doing odd jobs for a Christchurch firm after the travel agency he operated for a few years failed. He took Ms Hanai, who worked for his company, under his roof.
The family also lost a large sum of money, and their Christchurch home, when they invested in a company which involved Wellington fraudster Charles William Begg.
"When they lost their money, I don't think they would have known how to go about [life]. They lost everything, they lost their beautiful home," said family friend Jan Ogier.
The family faced having to move out of their rented weatherboard home because the owners planned to redevelop the site for townhouses. Yet they were never behind with the rent.
Friends last saw the Tomonagas and Ms Hanai about 10.30pm on Sunday after having a meal with them at their home which, police said, was a regular occurrence.
Three of the four were found in their beds after firefighters were called to the house to extinguish the blaze about 7.20am on Monday.
Mrs Ogier said the family tried very hard to fit into New Zealand life.
"I remember one time going away on a bowling trip with them and they shared their lunch with everybody and it was like we went to a top restaurant. I think of all that outpouring of love they gave to so many people."
Mr Tomonaga's boss Graham Stevens considered Mr Tomonaga a popular and capable employee, despite his limited grasp of English.
Mr Tomonaga could be animated at times, but his wife was very quiet.
Few seemed to know Michiko Tomonaga, but those who lived nearby recall her as a very short woman who often walked the streets with tissue paper stuffed in her nostrils.
Junichi, Keiko and Kinuko "lived baseball" and had a strong connection with the Canterbury Baseball Club.
The trio spent countless hours at Avonhead Park practising, playing, coaching and umpiring, treasurer Sean Callahan said in a club tribute.
"If a new tool was needed, Jun built it. If a metal bat broke, Jun fixed it. On the field, he covered more ground than kids a third his age."
Keiko Tomonaga "provided first aid and ensured everyone was fed. Kinuko did everything except play in the Sunday games."
