Prosecutors Recount Horrific Details of How Mom Killed Her Kids — Then Stuffed Bodies in Suitcases

A New Zealand mother accused of sidesplitting her 2 children and hiding their bodies successful suitcases allegedly drugged them pinch a powerful antidepressant — and told others she would alternatively nan full family dice together, prosecutors said successful tribunal this week.

Hakyung Lee, 44, is presently connected proceedings successful Auckland for nan 2018 deaths of her girl Yuna Jo, 8, and boy Minu Jo, 6.

According to nan BBC, prosecutors told jurors that toxicology tests revealed traces of nan antidepressant Nortriptyline successful some children’s thorax cavities and livers. A pathologist wished they died by homicide of “unspecified means,” though nan transition of clip prevented nonstop dosing study — an autopsy showed nary signs of trauma, for illustration surgery bones, connected their bodies.

Nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant utilized for slump and nervus pain, tin origin seizures, vulnerable bosom arrhythmias and cardiac apprehension successful children, moreover astatine comparatively debased doses, per The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.

Lee had obtained a medicine for nan supplier successful August 2017 — respective months aft her hubby was diagnosed pinch crab — and told a expert she was suffering from dizziness and had problem sleeping, according to nan BBC.

Prosecutors said Lee’s intelligence authorities worsened aft her husband’s test and death.

She allegedly texted him, “If you die, I will dice on pinch our 2 kids,” and later told a friend she wished they had each died together successful a level crash, according to nan outlet. Lee besides allegedly told nan friend that she would person been "less sad" if her children had died alternatively of her husband.

Prosecutors declare Lee has admitted to wrapping each child’s assemblage successful 3 layers of plastic, sealing them pinch duct tape, and placing them successful abstracted suitcases that she moved to a retention unit, per nan BBC.

The remains went undiscovered for 4 years — until 2022, erstwhile a section family purchased nan unit’s contents astatine auction and opened nan suitcases, PEOPLE antecedently reported.

Lee fled nan state a period aft nan killings connected a business people summons and changed her name.

She was later extradited from South Korea successful 2022, PEOPLE antecedently reported, and has since pleaded not blameworthy to 2 counts of execution and is pursuing an insanity defense.

Her lawyer based on this week that Lee knowledgeable a “descent into madness” and believed nan full family should dice together.

“She has killed her children, but she is not blameworthy of execution by logic of insanity,” nan lawyer said, according to nan BBC.

Justice Geoffrey Venning told jurors they whitethorn request to determine not only whether Lee killed nan children, but whether she was legally insane astatine nan time.

The proceedings is expected to past up to 4 weeks.