A woman, Hakyung Lee, has been found guilty of murdering her two young children, Yuna Jo and Minu Jo, after their bodies were discovered in suitcases hidden in a storage unit in Auckland four years later. Lee administered a lethal dose of prescription medication to her children before placing their bodies in the suitcases. She then fled to South Korea, changed her identity, and cut off contact with relatives. The remains were found in 2022 when the storage fees went unpaid, and the suitcases were auctioned off, revealing the tragic contents.

Due to the delay in discovering the bodies, determining the exact cause of death was challenging. The children were found dressed and wrapped in plastic bags, raising questions about whether the medication was used to sedate them before their deaths. Lee was eventually located in a hospital in South Korea and arrested after denying the existence of her children to her mother and a pastor.

During the trial, Lee’s defense argued her mental illness following her husband’s death led to the tragic events. However, the prosecution contended that her actions showed premeditation and rational decision-making, aiming to escape the responsibilities of single parenthood. The Crown prosecutor highlighted Lee’s calculated moves to start a new life without her children, emphasizing the selfishness of her actions.

After a brief jury deliberation, Lee was convicted of both murders. She awaits sentencing, facing a mandatory life term with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years in New Zealand. The trial was conducted with special provisions to accommodate Lee’s emotional distress, allowing her to participate via videolink with interpretive assistance.