Archive · 23 Sep 2025
New Zealand Mother Guilty in Suitcase Murders of Children
In New Zealand, Hakyung Lee was found guilty of killing her two children, Yuna and Minu.
The children's bodies were discovered in suitcases after being stored in a locker.
Lee's husband died of cancer a few years earlier, and she went into a deep depression.
The defense team argued that she wasn't in her right mind, but prosecutors said she knew what she was doing.
Lee was arrested in South Korea after fleeing New Zealand and now faces a potential life sentence.
Antidepressants were found in the children's bodies.
Hakyung Lee was found guilty of murdering her two children.
The children's bodies were discovered in suitcases purchased at an auction.
Lee's husband died from cancer a few years before the murders.
The defense argued Lee was insane due to depression; the prosecution disagreed.
Lee was arrested in South Korea after the murders.
- Who
- Hakyung Lee
- What
- Murdered her two children and hid their bodies in suitcases.
- When
- Verdict announced September 23, 2024
- Where
- New Zealand
- Why
- Defense argued depression and insanity; prosecution stated she was in sound mind.
Defense
Prosecution
Mental State
Defense
Lee suffered from deep depression and was not guilty by reason of insanity.
Prosecution
Lee was in sound mind and knew her actions were wrong.
Motive
Defense
Depression following husband's death.
Prosecution
Deliberate murder of the children.
- Accused
- Hakyung Lee
- Victims
- Yuna Jo and Minu Jo
- Verdict
- Guilty of Murder
- Location
- New Zealand
- Discovery
- Suitcases with bodies in storage locker
- Drug Detected
- Nortriptyline
Sources
New Zealand woman convicted of murdering her two children and hiding bodies in suitcases
Mother of two found guilty in New Zealand’s chilling ‘suitcase murders’ case
New Zealand Mother Guilty Of Killing 2 Children, Stashing Bodies In Suitcase
