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Mother sentenced to life in prison for New Zealand ‘Suitcase Murders’
A New Zealand court has sentenced a mother to life in prison for killing her two young children and hiding their bodies inside suitcases stored in a rental locker—a case that shocked the country and drew international attention.
The woman, identified as Hakyung Lee, a New Zealand national of South Korean origin, had been found guilty earlier this year after a high-profile trial. Prosecutors said she intentionally caused the deaths of the children before placing their remains in luggage that was later discovered by a family who had unknowingly purchased the contents of an abandoned storage unit.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the judge described the murders as “deeply disturbing,” stressing the devastating impact on the wider family and the community. The court ruled that the severity of the crimes warranted a life sentence.
The case, commonly referred to in local media as the “suitcase murders,” prompted debate in New Zealand about child protection and social services, as investigators worked to piece together the circumstances leading up to the killings.
Lee will be eligible for parole after a period set by the court, though authorities emphasized that her release is far from guaranteed.
