“Mother on Trial for Allegedly Murdering Children Found Dead in Storage Unit”

A New Zealand family who purchased a storage unit at an auction made a shocking discovery of two deceased individuals inside, which left them horrified. Hakyung Lee, 44, is currently standing trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of her 8-year-old daughter, Yuna Jo, and 6-year-old son, Minu Jo in 2018. The prosecution claims that Lee drugged her children with a potent antidepressant before hiding their bodies in suitcases, expressing her desire for the entire family to perish together. Toxicology tests confirmed the presence of Nortriptyline, an antidepressant, in the children’s bodies, although the exact dosing could not be determined due to the passage of time. Despite no signs of physical trauma, medical experts warn that Nortriptyline can have severe effects on children, including seizures and cardiac issues. Lee allegedly obtained the drug after her husband’s cancer diagnosis and demise, citing dizziness and sleep troubles to her doctor. Her mental state deteriorated further following her husband’s death, with Lee expressing wishes for the family to die together. Prosecutors assert that Lee confessed to wrapping her children’s bodies in plastic and placing them in suitcases in a storage unit before fleeing the country. After being extradited from South Korea in 2022, Lee pleaded not guilty on grounds of insanity, with her defense claiming a mental breakdown led to the tragic events. The trial, expected to last approximately four weeks, will require jurors to determine Lee’s mental state at the time of the alleged murders.