POLICE have assembled a large body of “circumstantial evidence” in their 11-day-old investigation into the Easter weekend double homicide in Honiara, Police Commissioner Mathew Varley has revealed.

Mr Varley told journalists in Honiara yesterday a team of 12 officers, led by a detective staff sergeant from the National Crime Investigation Division (NCID) has been deployed on the case.

Additional support is being provided from other specialists areas such as the forensic section within the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

Members of the investigating team have been described as “the best of the best” that the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has to offer.

The mutilated bodies of Chinese couple, Gongzhen Lao and Yuegui Wu, were found in their rented home at the LGZ Building, about 200 metres from the Police Headquarters at Rove, in West Honiara. The couple lived upstairs and operated a fast food outlet and a liquor shop on the ground floor.

They had two children – a girl aged 20 and a son aged 17. Both are studying overseas. Relatives have advised against coming to Honiara given that no arrests had been made.

Members of the Chinese community here believe the couple was murdered on the evening of Saturday April 15, shortly after the shop closed around 6pm that day. Their bodies were not discovered until two days later on the Easter Monday April 17.

The killing has sent shock waves amongst Honiara residents, who last Sunday joined the Chinese community in a 2,000-strong protest march, calling for an end to what it described as, “barbaric killing.”

United in grief, they walked from the Art Gallery to the LGZ Building, a distance of about one kilometre, to register their displeasure. Honiara City Council Mayor Andrew Mua and the deputy premier of Guadalcanal Province took part in the march. No national politicians were insight in the march jointly organised by FSII and the Solomon Islands Chinese Association.

In his weekly news briefing yesterday, Commissioner Varley said police have been combing the LGZ Building for clues as well as collecting information from people who had come forward.

The information has led to specific leads, which police are following.

“We have some persons of interest, but it is too early to suggest these persons of interests are suspects. They are not at this stage,” Commissioner Varley said.

Commissioner Varley said police have given this investigation their priority, adding that because of the complexity of the case it would take some time.

“I want the community to appreciate that this is a complex investigation and we are putting everything we have into it,” he said.

The Commissioner was briefed on the investigation on Tuesday.

“Yes, I am pleased, not only about how the investigation has gone so far but also the hard work and commitment shown by members of the investigating team,” he said.

Asked whether the finger of blame could point beyond Honiara, he said it was too early, adding they are not leaving anything out.

Mr Varley said Police would also be seeking foreign assistance, particularly in analysing images caught on CCTV cameras, around the time of the crime.

“This does not mean we are relying entirely on foreign assistance but we need assistance in the area of analysing and enhancing CCTV images to help in our investigation,” Commissioner Varley said.

The Commissioner also thanked Members of the Chinese Community for their.