Mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder — The Case Unfolded

 



In a harrowing case from New Zealand, a mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder when a jury at the High Court in Auckland returned verdicts against Hakyung Lee. Lee was convicted of murdering her two young children, Yuna Jo (8) and Minu Jo (6), whose bodies were discovered in suitcases almost four years after their deaths, stored in an abandoned storage unit. Mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder reflects just how long this dreadful secret remained hidden — until a routine auction led to its unveiling.  

 

Details of What Happened

The tragedy that led to mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder may be summarised in chilling detail. The trial revealed that in mid-2018, Lee gave her daughter and son an overdose of nortriptyline, a prescription antidepressant, before wrapping their bodies in plastic and placing them inside two large suitcases. The suitcases were later placed in a storage unit whose rent lapsed, and in August 2022 during an auction of unit contents, a family discovered them. Mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder shows the legal system endured months of investigation, extradition, trial, and emotionally charged courtroom moments.
 

The Defence, the Prosecution, and the Verdict

During the trial where mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder, Lee pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming severe depression and mental deterioration following her husband’s death. The defence argued that she was not aware of her moral culpability at the time. However, prosecutors countered that Lee’s actions — changing her name, fleeing the country to South Korea, covering up the crime — demonstrated deliberate thinking. The jury rejected the insanity plea, concluding beyond reasonable doubt that mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder was appropriate.  
 

Emotional Impact & Evidence

One of the most heartbreaking aspects in the case where mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder was the testimony about how Yuna and Minu were just regular children — enthusiastic at school, loved by their teachers, benign in spirit. Witnesses recalled their smiles, friendships, and daily routines. The courtroom heard how the impact of their father's death, Lee’s mental health struggles, and isolation compounded. The visual of the two suitcases in the storage unit struck many as a haunting symbol of lives abruptly and cruelly taken. Mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder deeply resonated with both jurors and the public at large.  

Legal Consequences & What Comes Next

Now that mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder, Lee faces sentencing on 26 November 2025. Under New Zealand law, murder carries a mandatory life sentence, with a minimum non-parole period of at least ten years before the possibility of parole. The conviction also underscores legal thresholds for mental health defences: proving insanity is difficult, and Lee’s case highlights how the law views deliberate concealment and rational decision-making even amid personal tragedy. Mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder will remain in custody until sentencing as the courtroom prepares to impose consequences reflecting both the severity of the crime and the suffering of the victims and community.
 

Reflection: Society, Mental Health, and the Unseen

The verdict in which mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder forces a deeper reflection. It raises questions about mental health support, social isolation, and how grief may spiral unobserved. While the law has made its decision, many mourners feel that the tragedy should prompt better intervention, awareness of parental wellbeing, and stronger support systems for those facing bereavement or depression. For the community, mother who killed children and left them in suitcases at a storage unit found guilty of murder is not just a case report: it is a warning about what can happen when tragedy meets mental illness without help. May this conviction bring closure to some, and lead to change for many.