Fatal Friendship: The Parker–Hulme Case
What drove two inseparable friends to commit an unthinkable betrayal?
4.2 (30)
141 mins
In the Parker–Hulme case, Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme murdered Pauline’s mother in Christchurch to avoid being separated, a crime driven by their intense friendship that ended in their arrest and shocked the community.
Ep 1:
The Day of the Happy Event
On June 22, 1954, in Christchurch, Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme lured Honora Parker to Victoria Park, carried a brick hidden in a stocking, then attacked her on a secluded path, killing her and staging it as an accident; their diaries later revealed planning in the Parker–Hulme case.
Ep 2:
Inside Borovia
In early 1950s Christchurch, Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme formed an intense bond at school, building a fantasy world called Borovia with its own language, growing increasingly isolated and dependent as reality and imagination began to blur, alarming those around them.
Ep 3:
Countdown to Murder
In 1954, after learning Juliet Hulme would be sent to South Africa, Pauline Parker grew desperate, her diary turning darker as the two rejected other ideas and began calling their plan “the happy event,” ultimately deciding on murder as their only way to stay together.
Ep 4:
The Fantasy Went on Trial
In August 1954, the trial began in Christchurch, where Pauline Parker’s diaries were presented as evidence and the defense argued a shared delusion, but both were found guilty, separated after sentencing, and later released years apart after serving time in prison.
Discussions (5)
Rodney
Level 6 · 4 mo agoPauline wrote 'The Day of the Happy Event' like she was counting down to Christmas... girl really put murder on the calendar with a smiley face. Evil has never been so organized.
Joan
Level 8 · 4 mo agoThe part about them staying composed and almost smiling during the trial gave me chills. When someone can sit in a courtroom hearing those details and barely flinch… that's a whole different level.
Grant
Level 10 · 4 mo agoThe 'folie à deux' label feels too clean. These girls weren't delusional, they were calculating. The diary alone proves they knew exactly what they were doing.
