A recent coroner’s inquiry has shed light on the tragic death of a 46-year-old woman, Geno Ong Kay Yong, who was found dead after falling from a height at Block 208 Boon Lay Place. The inquiry, held on November 7, 2024, revealed that Ong’s death was likely a deliberate act, driven by overwhelming legal pressures and mounting costs associated with ongoing lawsuits.
On September 6, 2024, Ong arrived at the HDB block alone and was pronounced dead shortly after. Investigating Officer Jeremy Kuan testified that an autopsy confirmed her death resulted from multiple injuries sustained in the fall, with no signs of struggle present at the scene. The investigation suggested that Ong may have climbed over the parapet before her fall.
Two handwritten notes were discovered with Ong, one of which requested that her siblings be informed of her death. The other note expressed her grievances against businessman Raymond Ng, who had initiated multiple lawsuits against her. In her correspondence, Ong emphasized that her decision to end her life was not due to depression but rather a stand against Ng, whom she accused of running fraudulent businesses. She believed her death would serve as a warning to others and hoped to highlight the plight of numerous victims in Singapore.
In a Facebook post made shortly before her death, Ong detailed the escalating legal fees she faced, which had reached nearly S$100,000. She indicated that these costs were crippling her financially, as she had been relying on a loan from a friend to cover her legal expenses. The post also mentioned Ng’s threats to file additional lawsuits against her, further exacerbating her distress.
The inquiry revealed that Ng had pursued four separate legal actions against Ong since 2021, primarily related to alleged defamation stemming from her social media posts. Despite attempts at mediation, discussions between the two parties broke down, with Ng asserting that mediation would be futile unless Ong ceased her online criticisms.
The investigation concluded that Ong’s decision to take her own life was influenced by the stress and anxiety stemming from the ongoing legal battles and the financial burden they imposed. The coroner noted that Ong appeared to believe she had “died for justice,” viewing her death as a means to draw attention to her situation and the broader issues faced by others in similar predicaments.
The coroner’s findings are expected to be delivered on December 12, 2024. In light of this tragic event, mental health resources have been highlighted for those in distress, emphasizing the importance of seeking help during difficult times.
Seek help
When a person needs mental care, it is important to be supportive and understanding. Mental health issues can be difficult to understand and can be overwhelming for both the person needing help and their friends and family.
The first and most important step is to reach out and provide a listening ear. It can be difficult for someone to open up about their mental health issues, so providing a safe and non-judgmental environment is essential. It is important to be patient, allow them to take their time, and show them that they are not alone.
If you are someone or know someone that is in need of help you can call the following numbers for assistance:
- Samaritans of Singapore (24 hrs): 1800-221-4444
- Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
- Institute of Mental Health Mobile Crisis Service (24 hrs): 6389-2222
- National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868
- Tinkle Friend Helpline (for primary school-aged children): 1800-274-4788