Mother Found Guilty in Deaths of Children Found in Suitcases
Auckland,new Zealand – A New Zealand woman,Hakyung Lee,has been convicted of teh murders of her two children,whose remains were discovered in suitcases stored at a furniture storage facility in Auckland in 2022. The case, which initially shocked the nation, revealed the children had died years before their bodies were found.
The discovery ignited a complex examination that spanned continents,ultimately leading to Lee’s extradition from South Korea. The verdict brings a measure of closure to a harrowing case that highlighted the hidden struggles of families and the devastating consequences of mental health crises. Lee now faces a sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of ten years, as mandated by New Zealand law.
Authorities estimated the children, aged 6 and 8 at the time of their deaths, had been deceased for three to four years prior to the grim discovery. The suitcases containing their remains were found during a routine auction of unclaimed goods.
During the trial, which began September 8th, Lee remained silent, seated with a translator and a security guard, frequently enough concealing her face. Her defense team argued for a verdict of not guilty due to mental impairment, citing the 2017 death of her husband as a catalyst for a severe depressive episode. Though, prosecutors successfully argued that Lee was fully aware of her actions and that the murders were premeditated.
After just two hours of deliberation, the jury of the High Court of Auckland found Lee guilty.The case underscores the importance of addressing mental health concerns and the long-lasting impact of family tragedy.
