The Auckland High Court has sentenced Hakyung Lee to life in prison for the murder of her two children in the much-discussed ‘suitcase murder’ case that has rocked New Zealand. Judge Jeffrey Venning said in his ruling that Lee brutally killed her “particularly vulnerable” children.
Lee, 45, had been suffering from long-term depression and was further devastated by the death of her husband from cancer. However, the court ruled that the incident was planned and calculated. She will have to serve at least 17 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
Brutal Method of Infanticide
Lee killed her son Minu Jo (6) and daughter, Yuna Jo (8) in 2018 by mixing an overdose of prescription drugs with fruit juice. She then wrapped the bodies in plastic bags, stuffed them in suitcases, and hid them in a storage locker in Auckland.
The locker was later sold at auction in 2022 after she was unable to pay the rent due to financial difficulties. The new owner opened the suitcase and found the skeletal remains of the two children and reported them to the police. This is how the gruesome murders of four years ago came to light.
Attempted Return and Arrest
After the incident, Lee changed her name and fled to South Korea. However, with DNA, forensic evidence and international cooperation, police arrested her in the city of Ulsan.
She was later brought back to New Zealand to stand trial. The court eventually decided that, although mentally unstable, she was able to understand that what she did was wrong.
Mental State and Legal Battle
Defense lawyers claim that Lee’s husband’s death drove her into a state of mental anguish and that she killed her children in a fit of madness. However, the prosecution shows that she had booked a ticket to Korea and made other arrangements before the murder. Therefore, the incident was not a botched suicide attempt, but was planned in advance.
Unbearable Pain for the Family
Lee’s family broke down in emotion at the verdict hearing. In a statement sent to the court, Lee’s mother said, “If she wanted to die, she would have died alone. Why did she take the innocent children with her?”
The children’s uncle said that their sick grandmother still does not know the truth, and they live in fear every day that she will find out. “This is a living punishment from which I will never be free.”
Watch the post here:
@vanakkammalaysia New Zealand mother jailed for life for killing her children and hiding their bodies in suitcases latest vanakkammalaysia NewZealand mother jailed life killing children hiding bodies suitcases trendingnewsmalaysia malaysiatamilnews fyp vmnews foryoupage
More from Wake Up Singapore:
“I drowned my child in the bathtub”: Japanese Mother Arrested After Drowning Baby
Thai Mother Arrested After Daughter Reveals She Was Forced into Prostitution
If you have a story or a tip-off, email admin@wakeup.sg or get in touch via Whatsapp at 8882 5913.
Interested in advertising on our media channels? Reach out to us at admin@wakeup.sg!
Since you have made it to the end of the article, follow Wake Up Singapore on Telegram and X!
Wake Up Singapore is a volunteer-run site that covers alternative views in Singapore. If you want to volunteer with us, sign up here!
