Warning: This story contains evidence from the trial which some readers may find extremely upsetting.
A court has heard how Lauren Dickason searched ways to overdose children numerous times in the months leading up to her daughters' deaths.
The disturbing internet history was revealed as the murder trial enters its second week.
Lauren Dickason is accused of murdering her little girls - 6-year-old Liané and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla - at their Timaru home on September 16, 2021.
The Crown is alleging Lauren is guilty of murder, saying she was aware of her actions before, during and after the crime.
However, the defence is arguing insanity and infanticide.
The trial has continued for a sixth day at the High Court in Christchurch in front of a jury of eight women and four men.
No signs of physical abuse on children before death
Just before midnight on September 16, forensic pathologist Dr Martin Sage was called to the Dickasons' home for a scene examination.
Appearing in court, Dr Sage said he arrived in Timaru just before 2am and stayed at the home for roughly one-and-a-half hours.
On September 18, he performed an autopsy on all three children. Much of the details of the autopsy were too graphic to publish.
Dr Sage told the jury there was no evidence of any old or recent injuries unrelated to their deaths.
Court has now ended for the day and Dr Sage's evidence will resume on Tuesday.
Disturbing internet history reveals Lauren searched how to overdose children months before killings
The Crown revealed Lauren's internet search history, which was read to the jury on Monday by Police's digital forensic analyser Joshua Locke.
Lauren searched for different methods to give children an overdose numerous times in the months leading up to the triple homicide.
These included searches "most effective overdose in children", "drugs to overdose kids", "carbon monoxide death" and "common culprits of medication overdose in children: what you need to know".
Other searches included what the lethal dosages of numerous drugs were including Alprazolam which was found by police in the Dickasons' home.
There were also searches that didn't reference drugs search as "how to deal with anxiety due to covid", "the worst pet is a child', "children who bite" and "I hate what lockdown is making me".
A forensic scientist last week told the court the autopsy of the children found no drugs or poisons detected in any of the girls, other than small amounts of caffeine and alcohol which were possibly produced by the body after death.
Defence question context of messages used in trial
The trial resumed on Monday morning with more analysis of messages Lauren sent in the years before the killings.
The jury has heard how Lauren spoke fondly of her children and were given insight into the different personalities of the little girls.
A total of 910 messages taken from Lauren's iPhone were read out in court on Friday. They included WhatsApp, SMS and Facebook messages she had with her husband Graham Dickason, family and friends back in South Africa, and those she met in Timaru. They range from September 2016 to hours before Lauren killed her children.
The messages were a sample taken from a total of 135,238 messages collated by police.
They detailed Lauren's struggle with mental health, motherhood and thoughts of harming her children.
On Monday, defence lawyer Anne Toohey questioned why videos and photos sent with the messages were not included in the evidence given in court.
Toohey referenced a message from Lauren that said "my kids are f***ing crazy". The message was sent with a photo of the children playing in their paddling pool in the middle of winter - but that context was left out from the messaging book supplied to the jury.
"There are literally hundreds of photos and videos that Mrs Dickason shares to Whatsapp groups of Liané and the twins playing and doing fun things… and you haven't noted that in your evidence?" Toohey said.
"No," Detective Edward Mitchell replied.
In court, the defence supplied messages from Lauren's phone that show a different side of the mother.
"My kids are so happy and I can see their little veins are just absorbing the information. They come home and sing and talk about everyone at school. Karla's tantrums are much better now," a message sent by Lauren read.
The messages showed how Lauren was "proud" of her children and would speak fondly of each one and their different personalities.
"Maya is the little mother. Always helpful and peaceful and obedient. Karla is the firecracker. She can throw an amazing tantrum but is also loveable and talks a dog out of a bath. She and Liané are best friends," Lauren wrote.
She referred to them as "precious princesses" and wrote about the activities they would do together.
The messages also gave insight into Lauren's struggles with mental health both in South Africa and New Zealand. She talked about crying over small things, and feeling fear and anxiety.
"I can remember in the middle of all our drama, Graham came home one day and I said to him 'love guess what - I haven't cried today'. I felt like a champion because I think I cried every day for 4 months more than once a day," Lauren wrote.
The trial continues in front of Justice Cameron Mander.
Where to find help and support:
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
