A family in New Zealand was shocked to discover two deceased bodies inside a storage unit they purchased at an auction. The mother, Hakyung Lee, is currently facing trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of her 8-year-old daughter, Yuna Jo, and 6-year-old son, Minu Jo. Prosecutors claim that Lee drugged her children with a potent antidepressant, resulting in their deaths.
Toxicology tests revealed traces of the antidepressant Nortriptyline in the children’s bodies. A pathologist indicated that the children were killed by unspecified means, and although exact dosing analysis was not possible due to the passage of time, no physical trauma was found on the bodies.
Nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant prescribed for depression and nerve pain, can have severe effects on children, including seizures and cardiac issues even at low doses. Lee reportedly obtained a prescription for the drug after her husband’s cancer diagnosis, claiming to suffer from dizziness and sleep difficulties.
Lee’s mental state allegedly deteriorated further following her husband’s death. She is accused of confessing to wrapping her children’s bodies in plastic, sealing them with duct tape, and storing them in suitcases at a storage unit before fleeing the country. Lee was extradited from South Korea in 2022 and has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges on the grounds of insanity.
Her defense attorney argued that Lee was in a state of “madness” and believed the entire family should perish together. The trial will focus on determining not only whether Lee committed the murders but also whether she was legally insane at the time. The proceedings are anticipated to last around four weeks.