In a shocking turn of events, a 65-year-old man faced murder charges in court following the discovery of his 43-year-old neighbor’s lifeless body in a Bukit Batok flat on January 6, with a knife believed to be the murder weapon also seized by the police, according to The Straits Times.
If found guilty of murder, the accused faces the death penalty under Singapore law.
The incident, which unfolded around 8:20 am, has sent shockwaves through the typically quiet Block 460B, Bukit Batok West Avenue 9.
Courtroom proceedings
The accused, 65-year-old Quek Eng Hock, appeared in court via a video feed and was charged while being handcuffed to a bed in the hospital earlier today, according to Shin Min Daily News.
He noticeably didn’t respond or even open his eyes as he had his charges read out to him in Mandarin.
The prosecution requesting for Quek to be remanded for three more weeks for a medical examination, which was subsequently granted by the judge.
A court order was also imposed to prevent the publishing of the deceased victim’s identity.
What happened?
Upon responding to a distress call, the police discovered the deceased woman and her conscious five-year-old son inside the flat.
The suspect was apprehended at the scene, with a knife believed to be the murder weapon seized. The crime scene investigation at Block 460B added an eerie atmosphere to the neighborhood.
Heavy police presence were seen in the area, with officers on the 2nd floor unit of the HDB block, escorting the murder suspect, who was wearing a white personal protective suit, into a police car at about 11.25am.
The woman, aged 43, tragically lost her life, leaving behind a grieving family. Meanwhile, her five-year-old son was rushed to the hospital.
As investigations continue, the police have yet to disclose the motive behind the crime. Updates on the case are anticipated as authorities delve into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Past disputes
According to Shin Min Daily News, the murder suspect and the deceased were neighbours and had frequent disputes in the past over noise issues, where the police had been called in before.
A resident who lives nearby, shared that on the day of the murder, he had heard a “loud noise” emanating from below his unit at about 6am in the morning, which lasted for about half an hour.
S’pore Police Force Statement
MAN ARRESTED FOR MURDER
The Police have arrested a 65-year-old man for his alleged involvement in the murder of a 43-year-old woman.
On 6 January 2024 at about 8.20am, the Police received a call for assistance from a residential unit at Bukit Batok West Avenue 9. Upon Police’s arrival, officers found a 43-year-old woman lying motionless inside the unit. She was subsequently pronounced dead by paramedics at scene. A 5-year-old boy, who is the son of the deceased person was conveyed conscious to the hospital. A 65-year-old man, their neighbour, was arrested at scene. A knife, believed to be used in the incident, was seized.
The man will be charged in court on 7 January 2024 with murder under Section 302(1) of the Penal Code 1871. The offence of murder carries the death penalty. Police investigations are ongoing.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
06 January 2024 @ 4:45 PM