Warning: This story contains distressing content that may upset some readers.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Immigration officials requested more evidence of Lauren Dickason’s mental health history, the day before she killed her three daughters.<\/p>\n
The details were divulged on Monday as the 42-year-old murder-accused’s phone was explored with a fine-tooth comb for the jury at the High Court in Christchurch.<\/p>\n
Dickason is charged with the murders of her two-year-old twin daughters Karla and Maya, and their six-year-old sister Lian\u00e9, at their Timaru home on 16 September 2021.<\/p>\n
She has pleaded not guilty to all three counts, relying on a defence of insanity and infanticide.<\/p>\n
Dickason’s mental health struggles and anxiety have been a significant focal point during the first six days of the trial.<\/p>\n
Lauren Dickason at the High Court in Christchurch.\u00a0<\/span>Photo:\u00a0Pool \/ NZME\/ George Heard<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The jury heard Dickason had been corresponding with immigration officials the day before the alleged murders.<\/p>\n Police digital forensic analyst Joshua Locke told the Crown of an email Dickason sent to her psychiatrist in South Africa on 15 September 2021.<\/p>\n “I am currently not using any medication,” she wrote.<\/p>\n “Immigration requires the following: a more detailed recent report from a psychiatrist\/the applicant’s prescribing doctor is required regarding the applicant’s depression.<\/p>\n “Please provide any details of harm to self or others, any previous hospital admissions, and any history of substance abuse.”<\/p>\n A psychiatric report from February 2020 confirmed Dickason was “not a danger to herself or any other person” and that “she was able to function well despite her illness”.<\/p>\n The court was told Immigration New Zealand requested a more recent psychiatric breakdown.<\/p>\n The reality of a long-haul move half way across the world caused strain for Dickason, the court heard.<\/p>\n Defence lawyer Abbie Hollingworth asked Locke about a web search referring to immigration stress.<\/p>\n Dickason visited an article on the Inquiries Journal titled ‘Immigration and Stress: The Relationship Between Parents’ Acculturative Stress and Young Children’s Anxiety Symptoms’.<\/p>\n Hollingworth asked Locke why this search had been omitted in his final analysis report.<\/p>\n “Were you aware at the time you were preparing this that, the user’s (Dickason) concern for her children and their future is considered by some of the experts in this trial to be extremely relevant?”<\/p>\n He admitted it was “his error” that it was left out of the report.<\/p>\n Earlier in the day, online searches by Dickason on how to cause child drug overdoses in the weeks leading up to the deaths were revealed in court.<\/p>\n A TikTok video Dickason received in July 2021 dubbed “Mom Needs a Minute” was also played for the jury.<\/p>\n The 1 minute 40 second clip portrays a supposed mother reciting a poem about “the chaos inside of her brain” and the struggles of raising children.<\/p>\n Locke told the court Dickason’s response to the video was “Awesome xxx, that’s exactly how I feel”.<\/p>\n Detective Edward Mitchell earlier read a string of messages from Dickason to friends that same month, prior to their departure from South Africa.<\/p>\n Messages read: “I’m an emotional wreck this week.”<\/p>\n “This is so hard.”<\/p>\n “This is by far the most terrifying thing we’ve ever done.”<\/p>\n “The devil is literally sitting on my shoulder 24\/7.”<\/p>\n Forensic pathologist Martin Sage, who attended the crime scene the night the girls died, began his evidence late on Monday.<\/p>\n Many details of his testimony are too graphic to publish.<\/p>\n He will continue his testimony when the trial resumes on Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n Where to get help:<\/b><\/p>\n Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.<\/p>\n Lifeline<\/a>: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357<\/p>\n Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 \/ 0508 TAUTOKO (24\/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.<\/p>\n Depression Helpline<\/a>: 0800 111 757 (24\/7) or text 4202<\/p>\n Samaritans<\/a>: 0800 726 666 (24\/7)<\/p>\n Youthline<\/a>: 0800 376 633 (24\/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz<\/p>\n What’s Up<\/a>: free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7days\/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP \/ 0800 9428 787 11am-11pm\u00a0Asian Family Services<\/a>: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English.<\/p>\n Rural Support Trust Helpline<\/a>: 0800 787 254<\/p>\n Healthline: 0800 611 116<\/p>\n