Lauren Dickason sentenced: Mum’s chilling four words after killing kids in New Zealand

A mother convicted of murdering her three young daughters has made a shocking claim about her 18-year prison sentence.

A mother convicted of murdering her three young daughters, believes the 18-year prison sentence she received this week was “fair and just” and a “win for mental health.”

The sentiment was shared through a message received by supporters of Lauren Dickason following her court appearance.

Dickason, a 43-year-old South African expat, was found guilty of the horrific murders of her daughters Liané, 6, and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla, which took place at their home in Timaru, New Zealand, in September 2021.

The family had relocated to New Zealand just weeks prior after completing their mandatory two-week quarantine in an Auckland hotel.

They were looking forward to a fresh start as Lauren’s husband, Graham Dickason, an orthopaedic surgeon, began working at a local hospital.

However, the hopeful new chapter quickly ended.

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Lauren Dickason received an 18-year prison sentence for the murder of her three young daughters, citing severe mental illness as a factor. picture: Facebook

Dickason admitted to smothering her children but, over the years since, has argued her severe mental illness rendered her not criminally responsible for their deaths.

She pleaded not guilty to three charges of murder, citing insanity or infanticide as her defence.

After a gruelling five-week trial, the jury sided with the Crown’s case, rejecting Dickason’s version of events and convicting her on all charges.

During sentencing, Justice Cameron Mander emphasised the severity of the crime, noting the brutality involved in the murders.

“The murders were committed with a high level of brutality,” he stated, the New Zealand Herald reports.

“Sentencing a parent for the murder of three children is unprecedented... not only were the children vulnerable because of their age, but they were entirely dependent upon you as the mother who they looked to for care and protection and would have viewed you as an unconditional source of safety and love.”

Lauren Dickason (left) was sentenced for killing her kids in New Zealand. picture: Facebook

Justice Mander highlighted the profound breach of trust and the systematic nature of the crime.

“Your actions extended over some period,” he said, according to the New Zealand Herald.

“However, I do not consider you were lashing out or venting your anger at the children... the systematic and methodical way you did that does not support a finding that you were simply an angry mother.”

Despite acknowledging Dickason’s “experience of anger and frustration at the three little girls,” he attributed her actions to her mental state.

“As a result, you were distorted... You genuinely believe they would be better off dead because you saw no future,” he said.

“I am satisfied … the tragic event would not have occurred but for the major depressive episode from which you were suffering.”

Justice Mander sentenced Dickason to 18 years for each murder, to be served concurrently, opting against imposing a life sentence.

The court acknowledged her mental illness but emphasised the brutality and systematic nature of the crime.

He further ordered that Dickason be detained as a special patient, meaning she would be held in a health facility rather than a prison for the time being.

Following the sentencing, Dickason released a public statement: “I continue to undergo treatment for severe mental illness and I owe it to everyone and myself to get mentally healthier.”

“I will do whatever it takes, although I know that will never change the past.”

The day after the sentencing, a message purportedly from Dickason was posted on a Facebook page dedicated to supporting her and her family. “Yesterday was a win for maternal mental health,” the message to supporters read.

“Justice Mander heard me. His decision is fair and just. Thank you all for your love and support over the last year,” it continued.

“Thank you for believing my version of events – that I am not an angry, jealous, and selfish person; but rather a mother suffering from a severe mental illness while trying to raise my three beautiful little girls and supporting my husband in all his endeavours.”

During the sentencing hearing, Dickason’s family spoke extensively about her mental health struggles, pleading for leniency from Justice Mander. Her father, Malcolm Fawkes, expressed the family’s devastation but also forgiveness.

“Naturally, our whole family was devastated by what happened to the three precious little girls and to our daughter Lauren to have caused this whole tragic saga,” he said.

“We have forgiven her but are obviously still struggling to understand the maternal mental health issues which caused this tragedy.

Dickason’s family forgave her and highlighted her long history of untreated major depressive disorder. picture: Facebook

“It is extremely technical and complex for us as average people in the street; we are not forensic psychiatrists nor psychologists.

“All we know is a simple statement – nobody in their right mind would have done something like that.”

It was revealed in court that Dickason had suffered from major depressive disorder since her teenage years, a fact her father claimed to be unaware of.

“We did not know of the turmoil, continually churning inside a lonely Lauren while she put on a brave face... We did not know she had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and... we also did not know about the infertility, which required donor eggs,” he said.

“We are disappointed that Lauren does not appear to have been correctly diagnosed, treated, and managed in South Africa for her mental health problems.”

Another family member, who can’t be named, also spoke against a harsh sentence, arguing it would not help those affected heal.

“If anything, it simply perpetuates the hurt and prolongs the grief. We believe the greatest victim in this whole situation is actually Lauren herself.”

This case has sparked significant public discourse in New Zealand on maternal mental health and the complexities of mental illness in criminal cases.

Originally published as Lauren Dickason sentenced: Mum’s chilling four words after killing kids in New Zealand