Lauren Dickason has admitted responsibility for killing her children, saying she failed them, failed her husband and failed their families.

The triple murderer has been sentenced to serve 18 years in Hillmorton Hospital with no minimum term of imprisonment.

She was convicted in 2023 of murdering her three young daughters after a five-week trial.

Through her counsel, Dickason said wanted to take the opportunity to convey the deepest and most sincere remorse for the extreme pain and hurt caused to her children and family.

“I loved Liané, Maya and Karla with all my heart. No apology will ever be enough, and words will seem hollow to many,” she said.

“I want people to know our girls brought me so much joy and were the centre of my world. I am horrified by my actions, and the pain, distress and trauma I have caused everyone who loved them. Like many others, I miss them every single day.”

Dickason said she would continue to undergo treatment for severe mental illness, and she owed it to everyone and herself to get mentally healthier.

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

“My family and I want people to know about the risks, warning signs and extreme impacts of post-partum depression.

Lauren Anne Dickason allegedly killed 6-year-old Liané, and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla at their Timaru home on September 16., 2023.

“We urge other families to look for and act on unhealthy signs. We urge women experiencing the symptoms of post-partum depression to tell the ones they love.

“This pain and heartbreak cannot happen to any other families.”

The 41-year-old was found guilty of murdering Liane, 6, and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla at their Timaru home in September 2021.

18-year sentence to be served in mental health unit

After considering all of the material and legal points, Justice Cameron Mander ruled a life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years or more would be manifestly unjust.

He did not sentence her to life in prison, rather, three determinate sentences of 18 years, to be served concurrently.

The Judge did not set a minimum term of imprisonment, therefore Dickason is eligible for parole after a third of her sentence, six years, has been served.

He ordered Dickason to be detained at a mental health facility for compulsory treatment, rather than prison. She will remain at the facility until she reaches a point she is mentally well enough to be transferred to prison.

When sentenced, Dickason remained silent and did not react. Her mother wept.

Justice Mander began the sentencing by outlining how Dickason killed her three daughters and acknowledged Dickason’s diagnosis with a major depressive disorder in her teens.

He spoke about the reoccurrences of her depression over the years – before and after Liane and then the twins were born.

She was then seeing a psychiatrist regularly for post-natal depression and Justice Mander said it was clear Dickason’s mental state was “in decline” in the months leading up to the triple murder.

She experienced “intrusive ideations” of harming her children during that time.

Lauren Dickason appeared for sentencing in the High Court at Christchurch today. Photo / Pool

Justice Mander said since the trial he had been provided with three expert reports about Dickason’s current mental state.

They said there was “recognition of the impact of the offending on others” and that she had expressed “remorse and regret” for killing the little girls.

Several said the woman remained mentally disordered.

“Sentencing a parent for the murder of three children is unprecedented in New Zealand... the children were vulnerable because of their age, but they were entirely dependent upon you as the mother who they look to for care and protection.

“They would have viewed you as an unconditional source of safety and love... The ending represents a fundamental breach of trust.”

Justice Mander acknowledged the grace and stoicism with which Dickason’s husband and their girls’ father Graham had conducted himself throughout the ordeal.

“I also acknowledge the unfathomable loss for both sides of the family.”