Naperville woman who killed 3 children appears in documentary

More than 13 years after killing her three children inside her family's Naperville home, the public will hear Marilyn Lemak's thoughts for the first time in an interview shot by French filmmakers.

Lemak had not spoken publicly about the March 4, 1999, killings that captured national headlines and left a community in shock before agreeing to the interview, which will appear in a French documentary about mentally ill mothers who harm their children.

In the film, Lemak says she was “a good mother” but was seriously mentally ill, according to a Chicago newspaper's account.

Lemak goes on to blame the murders of her children Nicholas, 7, Emily, 6, and Thomas, 3, on depression.

During the three-week trial in December 2001, Lemak's attorney argued she was legally insane, while prosecutors said the murders were an act of retribution against her estranged husband. The couple were in the middle of a divorce at the time.

In the video, Lemak describes how she laced her children's peanut butter sandwiches with prescription drugs and sang to them as they lost consciousness.

The film “Mal de Mere” will air on the French television channel M6 and features several mothers, including Lemak.

The interview with Lemak, now 54, was taped at the Dwight Correctional Center where she is serving a life sentence.

During the interview, Lemak questions how she brought herself to kill her children and says she does not know if she will be able to forgive herself.

After killing her children, Lemak attempted to commit suicide by slitting her wrist.

The film was set to air Sunday, according to reports.

Ÿ Daily Herald wire services contributed to this report