New Zealand Mother Sentenced to Life in Prison in “Suitcase Murders” Case
Auckland, New zealand – Hakyung Lee, a 45-year-old New Zealand citizen, was sentenced to life imprisonment this Wednesday for the murders of her two children, whose remains were discovered in suitcases stored in an Auckland storage unit. The case, dubbed the ”suitcase murders” by New Zealand media, garnered international attention after the grim discovery in August 2022.
The victims, Minu Jo and Yuna Jo, aged 6 and 8 at the time of their deaths, were found inside suitcases purchased at auction. Investigators resolute the children died three to four years prior to the discovery, succumbing to drug overdoses.
Lee, originally from South Korea, fled to her home country after the murders and was later extradited in 2022 after changing her name. Throughout the September trial at the Auckland High Court, lee remained silent and kept her face hidden, according to reports. The jury reached a guilty verdict after just two hours of deliberation.
Judge Geoffrey Venning sentenced Lee to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years. She displayed no visible reaction to the sentencing announcement.
The case shocked New Zealand, prompting a thorough examination into the circumstances surrounding the children’s deaths and their mother’s subsequent actions. The discovery of the remains in abandoned storage unit luggage highlighted the tragic consequences of this infanticide.
