8 Feb 2022

Cleaning company co-owner on death-related photos posted to Facebook

From Morning Report, 8:10 am on 8 February 2022

A warning, this story contains references to suicide, sudden death and assault, and graphic details about human remains.

A New Zealand crime scene cleaning business has been posting photos of scenes of death and serious injury on social media for nearly two years.

Alongside Crime Scene Cleaners' work for private clients and insurance companies, the Ports of Auckland, KiwiRail, the Auckland and Christchurch City Councils have paid the company for cleans.

As has the Ministry of Justice, through the Victim Assistance Scheme.

Sam Olley asked Crime Scene Cleaners' general manager and co-owner Carl Loader, why graphic images have been posted.

Loader says he has since reviewed the Facebook page and it was temporarily deactivated.

But it is back online, and some death-related posts have been removed.

RNZ alerted coronial services to the page, and the Chief Coroner's office is now assessing whether the company's breached the Coroner's Act.