Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme: The Friendship That Led to Murder
- dthholland
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
The world of crime has seen its fair share of chilling partnerships, but few are as infamous as the one shared by Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme. These two schoolgirls from New Zealand shocked the nation in 1954 when their intense friendship culminated in the brutal murder of Pauline’s mother, Honora Parker. This case not only sent ripples through New Zealand society but has also captured the public’s imagination for decades, leading to films, books, and endless analysis of the events that transpired. What drove two intelligent, creative young women to commit such a heinous act? This blog delves deep into their backgrounds, the nature of their friendship, and the tragic events that unfolded in Christchurch on a fateful June day.
The Meeting of Pauline and Juliet
Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme met at Christchurch Girls' High School in 1952, when they were both in their early teens. Though from different backgrounds, they quickly became inseparable. Pauline was the daughter of a working-class family, while Juliet came from a more privileged background—her father, Henry Hulme, was a noted physicist and rector of the University of Canterbury. Juliet had a cosmopolitan upbringing, having lived in England and South Africa before settling in New Zealand.
Both girls were intelligent, academically bright, and shared a passion for literature and fantasy worlds.
What drew them together, however, was more than just common interests. Both girls had experienced illnesses that left them somewhat isolated from their peers—Pauline suffered from osteomyelitis, a painful bone infection, and Juliet had suffered bouts of tuberculosis. This isolation fostered a deep bond between them, a connection that quickly grew into something intense and all-consuming.
A Fantasy World of Their Own
As their friendship blossomed, Pauline and Juliet created a rich fantasy world, which they called the "Fourth World." It was a place where they could escape the mundane reality of their everyday lives and indulge in elaborate fantasies of romance, adventure, and grandeur. They wrote stories, poems, and plays set in this imaginary world, drawing inspiration from historical figures and film stars. Their bond became more than just friendship—it was almost like a shared identity.
The intensity of their relationship began to concern those around them. The girls’ parents and teachers noticed how they withdrew from others, spending all their time together, wrapped up in their elaborate fantasies. Some speculated that the relationship was romantic, though there was little concrete evidence to support this. What was clear, however, was that their friendship had become obsessive.
Parental Concerns and Separation
By 1954, the parents of both girls had become increasingly worried about the unhealthy closeness of their relationship. Juliet’s parents were particularly concerned, especially as they were going through their own marital difficulties. That year, Henry Hulme resigned from his position as rector and planned to take Juliet back to England, leaving behind his wife, Hilda, in New Zealand. Pauline’s parents were equally alarmed by the impending separation, believing it would be best for the two girls to spend time apart.
Pauline, however, was devastated by the thought of Juliet leaving. She became increasingly resentful of her mother, Honora, whom she believed was standing in the way of her being with Juliet. The two girls began to devise a plan—a horrifying plan that would allow them to be together forever.
The Murder of Honora Parker
On 22 June 1954, Pauline and Juliet lured Pauline’s mother to Victoria Park in Christchurch under the pretext of a pleasant walk. Unbeknownst to Honora, the girls had brought with them a half-brick, wrapped in a stocking. As they walked along a secluded path, they attacked Honora, bludgeoning her repeatedly until she died from severe head injuries. It was a gruesome and cold-blooded act, one that shocked not only the people of Christchurch but the entire world when news of the murder broke.
The police quickly pieced together what had happened. Both girls were arrested and, during their subsequent interrogation, freely admitted to the murder. Their diaries provided further damning evidence—Pauline had written extensively about their plan in the days leading up to the crime. In one entry, she coldly stated:
"The happy event has taken place. All went according to plan."
Trial and Sentencing
The trial of Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme took place in August 1954 and was a media sensation. The public was fascinated by the seemingly privileged and intelligent girls who had committed such a brutal murder. During the trial, the defence argued that the girls were suffering from a folie à deux—a shared psychotic disorder—that had caused them to lose touch with reality. The prosecution, however, painted a picture of cold, calculated murder, driven by their desire to be together without the interference of Pauline’s mother.
Ultimately, both girls were found guilty, but due to their young age (Pauline was 16 and Juliet 15), they were not sentenced to death. Instead, they were sentenced to be detained "at Her Majesty’s pleasure," a term used for indefinite imprisonment. The girls were separated and sent to different prisons, and they would never see each other again.
Life After Prison
Pauline and Juliet were both released from prison after serving around five years, under strict conditions that they never contact each other again. Upon release, they disappeared from the public eye, adopting new identities and living quiet, private lives.
Pauline Parker took the name Hilary Nathan and lived a reclusive life in England, working as a riding instructor. She reportedly became deeply religious and expressed remorse for her actions, though she has never publicly spoken about the murder.
Juliet Hulme, on the other hand, reinvented herself as Anne Perry and went on to become a successful crime novelist. Under this name, she wrote numerous best-selling detective novels and only reluctantly acknowledged her past when it was revealed by the media in the 1990s. While Perry has expressed regret for the murder, she has also stated that she has paid for her crime and does not feel the need to discuss it publicly.
Cultural Legacy
The story of Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme has remained a source of fascination for decades. The case has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and even a film—Heavenly Creatures (1994), directed by Peter Jackson, brought the story to a new generation and remains a landmark depiction of their intense friendship and the murder that followed.
The case continues to raise questions about the nature of obsessive relationships, the vulnerability of adolescence, and the fine line between fantasy and reality. It also poses a darker question: Could the intense bond between Pauline and Juliet have been controlled, or were they always destined to spiral into tragedy?
The story of Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme remains one of New Zealand’s most infamous criminal cases. What began as an intense friendship spiralled into a murder that stunned the world. Though both women have served their time and moved on with their lives, the crime they committed continues to intrigue, puzzle, and horrify in equal measure.
Their case serves as a chilling reminder of the destructive power of obsessive relationships and the dark turns that even the closest of friendships can take.
