In New Zealand, a mother on trial admitted to causing the death of her children, whose remains were found years later in suitcases. The defense, however, asserts the mother’s plea as not guilty by reason of insanity.

Hakyung Lee, originally from South Korea, has confessed to giving her children nortriptyline, a common antidepressant, which led to their demise. According to reliable sources, state prosecutor Natalie Walker informed jurors of this development earlier this week.

Reports indicate that authorities believe that Lee ended the lives of her children, 6-year-old Minu Jo and 8-year-old Yuna Jo, around June or July of 2018. This was a year following her husband’s death, after which Lee returned to South Korea.

The remains of the children were discovered four years later in an abandoned storage facility located in Auckland, New Zealand. Lee was apprehended in South Korea in September 2022 and was subsequently extradited to New Zealand two months later.

During the trial, pathologist Simon Stables testified that it was challenging to definitively state that the antidepressant was the sole cause of death, given the advanced decomposition of the bodies when found. He posited that the drug could have contributed to the deaths in combination with other factors.

The children’s bodies were discovered in separate peach-colored suitcases, encased in plastic. This morbid find was made by a family who had purchased a trailer-load of items, including the suitcases, at an auction for abandoned goods in Auckland.

Lee chose to represent herself in court, albeit with two attorneys on standby. Defense attorney Lorraine Smith argued in court that Lee was not guilty of murder by reason of insanity, a statement supported by video footage from Australian national broadcaster ABC.

Smith argued that Lee’s mental state deteriorated following the death of her husband in 2017, ultimately leading to a depressive spiral. This raises important questions about the role of mental health in this tragic incident.

The trial is anticipated to continue for around four weeks, leaving many unanswered questions for the time being.