Haggle over Aranui murder site to start
The city council has voted to enter into negotiations to buy the House of Horrors site in Aranui.
The Star has learned that councillors voted in favour behind closed doors last Friday to buy the site on the corner of Hampshire St and Wainoni Rd in Aranui.
Jason Somerville (right) murdered his neighbour Tisha Lowry and his wife Rebecca Chamberlain and and buried their bodies under the floorboards of the unit that once stood on the property.
It was later burnt down by an arsonist.
The cross-lease site is owned by Gisborne man Jason Drain and Auckland-based Liberty Finance.
The city council refused to discuss the decision for confidentiality reasons. The property has been previously advertised on Trade Me for $55,000.
Ideas for the use of the site if it is bought by the city council include turning it into a children's playground.
