New Zealand Mother Convicted of Double Murder After Children’s Remains Found in Suitcases

A New Zealand court has convicted Hakyung Lee, a New Zealand citizen originally from South Korea, of two counts of murder for the killing of her two young children, aged six and eight. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, bringing a tragic case that has gripped both New Zealand and South Korea closer to closure.

According to court proceedings, Lee was found guilty of fatally harming her children before concealing their bodies in suitcases and abandoning them in a storage facility in Auckland. Investigators revealed that in 2022, the children’s remains were discovered after the contents of the storage unit were auctioned off. The unsuspecting buyers opened the suitcases only to make the harrowing discovery, which quickly drew international attention (reported by investigators in Auckland).

Police stated that following the killings, Lee fled New Zealand and returned to South Korea, where she was later tracked down. The New Zealand authorities worked closely with their South Korean counterparts to secure her extradition so she could face trial for the deaths of her children (according to the New Zealand Police report).

The trial highlighted disturbing details about Lee’s actions and the deliberate measures she took to conceal the crime. Prosecutors argued that the killings were premeditated and that Lee attempted to erase her past by leaving the country. Defense lawyers, however, sought to cast doubt on her mental state at the time of the murders, suggesting that psychological challenges may have influenced her actions. Despite these claims, the jury ruled unanimously in favor of conviction.

The case has sparked widespread outrage and sorrow across New Zealand. Many community members have expressed disbelief over the tragedy and sympathy for the children’s extended family. Local media reported that grief-stricken relatives, unable to comprehend the loss, were present throughout parts of the trial, listening quietly as disturbing evidence was presented.

Authorities emphasized that the sentencing phase will follow in the coming weeks. Legal experts predict a lengthy prison term given the severity of the charges and the public interest in ensuring accountability for the crime (eye witness reports from the courtroom).

The discovery of the children’s remains in 2022 remains one of New Zealand’s most shocking criminal cases in recent years, underscoring the devastating consequences of hidden domestic violence and family tragedies that often remain undetected until it is too late.