A South Korean‑born New Zealand woman, Hakyung Lee, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders of her two young children in a case that shocked the nation and became known as the “suitcase murders.”
The Crime
Lee killed her children, aged eight and six, in 2018, a year after their father died of cancer. During the trial, prosecutors revealed she administered a fatal overdose of prescription medication before wrapping their bodies in plastic and concealing them inside suitcases. The suitcases were later discovered in 2022 when a family purchased the contents of an abandoned storage unit in Auckland.
Trial and Conviction
Lee, 45, was extradited from South Korea in late 2022 after fleeing New Zealand and changing her identity. She represented herself during the trial, pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. Despite her defense team’s arguments citing mental health issues, the jury convicted her of murder in September 2025.
High Court Judge Geoffrey Venning handed down the life sentence with a minimum non‑parole period of 17 years, rejecting calls for a lesser penalty but approving compulsory psychiatric treatment. Lee will serve her sentence in prison once deemed mentally fit.
Public Reaction and Legal Significance
The case has drawn widespread attention for its disturbing details and the length of time the children’s remains went undiscovered. Legal experts note the ruling underscores New Zealand’s stance on accountability in cases involving severe violence, even when mental health defenses are raised.
Outlook
Lee’s sentencing closes one of New Zealand’s most harrowing criminal cases in recent years. The tragedy has reignited debate about mental health, parental responsibility, and child protection, with advocates calling for stronger safeguards to prevent similar crimes.
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