The triple child murder that shocked New Zealand: How mentally-ill mother Lauren Dickason smothered her two-year-old twins and their sister, six, to death believing it was 'morally right' - as she is handed 18-year sentence By Chris Jewers Published: 12:19 EDT, 26 June 2024 | Updated: 12:19 EDT, 26 June 2024 e-mail 1 View comments In September 2021, the unassuming town of Timaru on New Zealand 's south island was rocked by a shocking crime that finally came to a close today. Lauren Dickason, 41, was found guilty last August on three counts of murder having smothered her two-year-old twins Maya and Karla and first daughter Liane, six in a trial that made national and even international headlines. Dickason at first tried to kill her children using zip ties and then suffocated them with pillows.
She then placed them in their beds under the covers and tried to kill herself. Today, a judge sentenced her to 18 years in prison - six years for each girl. The killings took place on September 16, 2021 at the family's home in Timaru while Dickason's husband was out to dinner with colleagues.
He found the bodies of his children when he returned home. Lauren Dickason (top), 41, was found guilty last August on three counts of murder having smothered her two-year-old twins Maya and Karla (pictured at their second birthday) and first daughter Liane (left), six in a trial that made national and even international headlines Dickason, seen in court, at first tried to kill her children using zip.
