South African doctor Lauren Dickason has been found guilty of murder in the High Court in Christchurch, New Zealand.

She admitted killing daughters Liané, 6, and twins Maya and Karla, 2, in September 2021, three weeks after emigrating to New Zealand, but had hoped to persuade the court in Christchurch that she was not guilty of murder due to insanity and infanticide.

In New Zealand, a woman can be found guilty of infanticide rather than murder if it is proven that “the balance of her mind was disturbed” from the effects of childbirth, lactation or any disorder caused by childbirth or lactation.

ALSO READ: Lauren Dickason: Disturbing details emerge in NZ court

Dickason’s parents, Malcolm and Wendy Fawkes, who sat through their daughter’s four week trial, released a statement shortly after the verdict saying there are ”no winners” out of this.

“Post-partum depression is a terrible thing, as has been shown by what happened to our family on 16 September 2021,” they wrote.

“This was not our daughter, but a debilitating mental illness which resulted in an awful tragedy, the details of which you are by now well aware.

“Our beloved Lianè, Karla and Maya were taken from this life to another as a result of this crippling disease.

“The New Zealand Government agencies who have interacted with our family have reached out to us in a most generous and compassionate way. We thank the good people of New Zealand for that.

“There are no winners in this tragedy. We would like to encourage families and individuals around the world to be aware of the symptoms of post-partum depression as early as possible, both for yourselves as well as close family and friends around you. If treated early and managed correctly, people can experience a full recovery. The person experiencing depression and those closest to them may not be able to recognize the signs or how serious post-partum depression can become.”