In a Shocking Twist, a Housekeeper Faces Murder Charges
Last Saturday (April 30), a 49‑year‑old domestic helper turned courtroom villain after a brutal killing in a Bishan council flat. The victim, a 73‑year‑old man, was found dead at Blk 222 Bishan Street 23.
How the Nightmare Unfolded
- Night before the murder: The victim’s wife, a woman in her 60s with the surname Li, returned home a bit late on Thursday.
- Gate unlocked & vacuum darkness: She realized the main door was open and the place felt eerily dark – passive‑voice “the unit was also pitch dark inside.”
- Finding the body: She crept into the bedroom and found her husband sprawled on the bed. His hands lay half‑raised, as if he’d just finished a dream and the brain had gone off a little.
- A frantic call for help: Running to the neighbour’s flat, Li cried out for assistance, texted her daughter, and dialed the police. The nearest neighbor, now 67, confirmed that Li’s “door‑knocking” was “frantic and helpless.” First casualty of the night: the kid’s heart wasn’t no longer beating.
- Witness testimony: The neighbour described seeing the victim lying with a head tilted upward – no blood in sight, and a calm serenity that did not fit a normal death scene.
Who Was the Victim?
- Name: Low Hoon Cheong
- Profession: Former engineer, now retired taxi driver
- Health: Five years of worsening condition, wheelchair-bound two years ago during the pandemic.
- Family: Married to Li for close to 40 years.
Things the Wife Could Not Let Go Of
When interviewed after the court hearing, Li said she still feels the urge to cry each time she thinks about her husband’s absence.
A Side Note On The Helper
Li had hired the aide (the 49‑year‑old domestic worker) after noticing Low’s leg nerves were giving her a hard time – “the family had hired a helper to take care of him”.
Is It Feasible? That’s The Question
The case now throws up one big question: Did a 49‑year‑old helper receive a murder charge after a nightly stay at a council flat, or were there underlying motives? We’ll keep our eyes on this judicial drama for more updates.
Requests for money
Li also said that the Indonesian helper, named Sumiyati, was a good worker when she was first employed slightly over two years ago. However, she kept asking Li for money at the start of this year.
“She claimed to be a victim of a scam which was why she asked me for money, but I didn’t give it to her,” revealed Li, who added that they eventually increased her salary to $700.
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Sumiyati was due to return home in September after the end of her contract.
According to another neighbour, Li had complained to her about issues with their helper and shared that they had given her a $50 raise. The neighbour recalled that at the time, she had told Li not to be afraid of Sumiyati and that they could always terminate her employment.
Sumiyati appeared in court on Saturday, where she was charged for the murder of Low sometime between 4pm and 8.46pm on Thursday.
According to the Shin Min, the accused appeared expressionless with her chest-length hair slightly unkempt, only nodding her head in response to the judge’s statements.
If convicted of murder, Sumiyati faces the death penalty.
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Murder/ManslaughtercrimeSingapore Police ForceMAIDS
