Lauren Dickason timaru

Lauren Dickason’s triple murder trial will be held in Christchurch. Photo: Facebook

Timaru tragedy: Lauren Dickason expected to appear before High Court on 5 October

Lauren Dickason, who is accused of murdering her three daughters, is expected to appear before the Timaru High Court after two weeks of “mental assessment.”

Lauren Dickason timaru

Lauren Dickason’s triple murder trial will be held in Christchurch. Photo: Facebook

South African doctor Lauren Dickason is accused of murdering her three daughters at home in Timaru, Canterbury in New Zealand last month. She was remanded to a hospital in Christchurch for a mental assessment after her first court appearance in August. Her next court appearance is imminent.

DICKASON TO MAKE NEXT COURT APPEARANCE SOON

Lauren Dickason allegedly killed her two-year-old twins, Maya and Karla, and their older sister, six-year-old Liane, on Thursday, 16 September, at a house in Queen Street, Timaru. The girls’ father, Graham Dickason, who is also a medical professional, came home and discovered their bodies.

Dickason was taken from the scene of the crime to a hospital in a stable condition. She was arrested and charged with the murder on Friday, 17 September.

The murder-accused made her first appearance before the Timaru District Court on Saturday, 18 September. A psychiatrist from the South Canterbury District Health Board told Judge Dominic Dravitzki that sending Dickason to jail would be inappropriate.

With this in mind, Dravitzki remanded Dickason to Hillmorton Hospital in Christchurch for a psychiatric assessment before her next scheduled court appearance before the Timaru High Court on 5 October.

Graham Dickason announced that he had forgiven his wife for her alleged crime at a candlelight vigil on Thursday, 23 September, held for the girls outside the home where they died. He urged everyone else to show Dickason the same clemency.

This revelation was from a letter written by Graham that was read by Reverend Alan Cummins at the vigil, which was attended by hundreds of people.

“Please also pray for my lovely Lauren as I honestly believe she is a victim of this tragedy as well. People that know her well will testify to that, I have no doubt. I have already forgiven her and I urge you at your own time to do the same,” said Graham in the letter. “It is the key to healing for this loss we have all experienced.”

A crowdfund was started for the Dickason family by a group of South Africans living in Timaru. The funds will be used for funeral, travel and accommodation expenses for family members.

As of 4 October, 644 generous donors have donated R328 893,04 (NZ$31 665) in 11 days. Graham shared his appreciation for the donations with a message on the page.

“I want to thank each and every person who felt it in their hearts to donate on this page. The messages have been heartfelt and comforting,” said Graham.

“One person donated $9.97, and apologised that it was, unfortunately, all they had to donate at this moment. That struck a chord in my heart and made me realise that these donations are not for myself, but that I have a responsibility to manage these funds well for the purpose it is being given for, and once all has been done, to make sure I pay it forward to people in need, or a foundation of sorts.”