Parker–Hulme murder case

Her father, Herbert Rieper, and her mother, Honorah Mary Parker, were living together but were not actually married; this was not public knowledge and was only revealed at the trial.

[1] The girls had both suffered illnesses as children, Parker with osteomyelitis and Hulme with tuberculosis,[2] which formed the basis of an initial connection.

The girls had an intense friendship which caused concern in Parker's parents that they were engaged in a sexual relationship; homosexuality at the time was considered a mental illness.

They rejected Christianity and worshipped their own saints, envisioning a parallel dimension called The Fourth World, essentially their version of Heaven.

Problems with faculty and the board forced Hulme’s father to resign from his position as rector of the university, and her mother was involved in an extramarital affair.

Their long term plan was to go to South Africa and then head to Hollywood or New York City, where they believed they would publish their writing and work in film.

Following their meal they walked through a wooded area of the park approximately 130 metres (430 ft) down the path, where Hulme and Parker bludgeoned Rieper to death with half of a brick enclosed in an old stocking.

They were met by Agnes and Kenneth Ritchie, owners of the tea shop, whom they told that Rieper had fallen and hit her head.

[8] Hulme's release was unconditional, and she immediately rejoined her father in Italy, while Parker was placed on six months' parole in New Zealand, after which she left the country.

[9] Following her release from prison, Parker was given a new identity as Hilary Nathan,[10] and spent some time in New Zealand under close surveillance before being allowed to leave for England.

Her sister further stated that "[Pauline] committed the most terrible crime and has spent 40 years repaying it by keeping away from people and doing her own little thing ... After it happened, she was very sorry about it.

"[11] After her release from prison, Hulme spent time in England and the United States, later settling in Scotland and becoming a successful historical detective novelist under her new name, Anne Perry.