35-year-old David Brian Chow Kwok-Hun, the managing director of the KnowledgeTree Training Centre, was sentenced on 26 October to seven years in prison for culpable homicide after he killed his wife, Isabel Elizabeth Francis, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time, according to The Straits Times.
The incident occurred in the early hours of January 11, 2022, at the couple’s flat in Ang Mo Kio.
Thought his business was failing
Chow’s distress and anxiety had been mounting for several days due to concerns over the financial state of his company.
His troubles began in December 2021 when he received unusually low financial figures from an employee.
Despite the fact that his business had been profitable, earning approximately $1 million in profits between July 2020 and June 2021 and maintaining financial stability even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he was convinced that his company was on the brink of failure.
Slept 1-2 hours a day
Between January 7 and January 9, 2022, Chow struggled to get one to two hours of sleep each night on average, and his behavior began to raise concerns among his family, colleagues, and his wife.
He even resorted to sleeping aids, but his insomnia persisted. His mother, brother, and the manager of his company reassured him that the business was financially sound and profitable.
However, as his mental state continued to deteriorate, Chow’s thoughts turned to taking his own life. He feared the stigma and shame that would befall his wife and unborn child if he were to do it, and he worried that others might come after them due to his business failure.
Stabbed wife in the head
In the early hours of January 11, 2022, in a state of distress, he took a knife from the kitchen and attacked his sleeping wife, telling her he had no way out.
Tragically, he continued to stab her in the head, neck, and body, leading to her untimely death. Chow then turned the knife on himself, stabbing his neck and stomach, and pleading for the devil to take him while hoping for his wife and unborn daughter to find peace in heaven.
After the attack, Chow’s realization that he was not dying quickly enough prompted him to consume a random assortment of tablets in an attempt to end his own life. However, his efforts proved unsuccessful.
At approximately 7.35am, he called the police to report the crime, refusing assistance from his father and unlocking the door to await the authorities.
It was later revealed that Chow had been suffering from an adjustment disorder that fueled his catastrophic thinking about the financial future of his company and led to his dark thoughts.
As a result, his initial murder charge was reduced due to his diminished responsibility for his actions.