Post by : Rohit Dhiman

A 44-year-old woman who was later found dead at the foot of a housing block in Singapore had been experiencing significant stress over a workplace injury compensation claim, a coroner’s court heard on Thursday, Oct 8. The woman, who owned a food business, had reportedly told her husband that she believed a claim made against her company by a foreign worker was fraudulent and that she was worried about the financial consequences. The court also heard that the woman had been receiving treatment for depression and had experienced a serious mental health crisis shortly before her death. She was discharged from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) against medical advice following a suicide attempt, just one day before she was found dead. Because of a gag order protecting the identities of her husband and children and preventing publication of her address, the woman has not been named.

Woman found dead after visiting housing block

According to investigation officer Inspector Ong Hui Xian, the woman travelled to a housing block in the Bukit Timah area on the morning of Jul 19, 2025. A resident reportedly shared a lift with her and asked whether she lived in the building. The woman replied that she was visiting. The two parted after the woman wished the resident a good day. The woman was subsequently found dead at the foot of the housing block. Police were able to identify her after finding a car key belonging to her husband. Her husband later told investigators that she had said she was going out to exercise that morning. A suicide note was subsequently discovered on her laptop. According to the court evidence, the note contained an apology to her loved ones.

Mental health concerns had emerged earlier

The coroner’s inquiry also heard about the woman’s mental health in the weeks leading up to her death. She had visited the psychiatric department at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital in late June 2025 after experiencing symptoms associated with depression. These reportedly included difficulties with sleep and appetite, intrusive thoughts and a depressed mood that had persisted for several months. She also spoke about feelings of guilt and described being caught between the demands of her work and responsibilities toward her children. Doctors prescribed medication to address her condition, including mirtazapine for depression and zolpidem for insomnia.The court later heard that her mental health deteriorated further in July.

Serious suicide attempt before death

In the early hours of Jul 18, 2025, the woman was found unconscious at Changi Beach. Paramedics and police officers who attended the scene found her intoxicated, incoherent and drenched with water. She reportedly told authorities that she wanted to die and mentioned that she had lost money through a scam, although she did not provide further details at the time. A police officer contacted the IMH crisis hotline and was advised to have her taken into care under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act. She was brought to Changi General Hospital, where doctors assessed the incident as a serious suicide attempt and diagnosed her with depression. She was subsequently transferred to IMH, where she was clinically diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

Discharged from IMH against medical advice

The court heard that the woman was discharged from IMH on the same day despite medical advice. Inspector Ong told the court that the woman and her husband were keen for her to leave the hospital. They were informed about the potential risks associated with discharge, including the possibility that her symptoms could worsen and that she could attempt suicide again. The woman was eventually discharged under the care of her husband. According to him, she appeared quiet but otherwise normal after returning home. The development is an important part of the coroner’s inquiry because it occurred only a day before she was found dead.

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Workplace injury claim became a source of stress

The court heard that another major source of concern for the woman involved a workplace injury compensation claim made against her company by a foreign worker. The worker had reportedly suffered injuries while working for the woman's company and subsequently sent medical bills to her. The worker also sent a letter indicating that a claim for total permanent incapacity would be made. Her husband told investigators that his wife believed she was being exploited for additional compensation. The woman was concerned about whether her company's insurance coverage was sufficient to deal with the claim. She had reportedly worried that she might have purchased the wrong insurance plan and that the insurer might not cover the entire amount being sought. 

Woman had contacted Ministry of Manpower

The court also heard that the woman had contacted the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) shortly before her death. An MOM officer received an email from her three days before she died. In the message, she sought clarification about whether she would be responsible for paying new medical bills connected to the worker's case. The officer reportedly told her that the relevant information should be provided directly to the insurer because the insurer was assessing the claim. The MOM officer described the woman as calm and composed during their interaction. Despite appearing composed to the officer, the court heard that the workplace injury claim had been a significant source of concern for her.

Allegedly fraudulent claim investigated

The court was told that police and MOM had looked into the issues surrounding the workplace injury compensation claim. However, Inspector Ong clarified that those investigations did not affect the findings concerning the woman's death. The allegations surrounding the claim therefore remain a separate issue from the coroner's inquiry into the circumstances of the woman's death. When journalists asked whether the investigating authorities had reached any conclusion about the allegedly fraudulent claim, State Counsel Dhiraj G Chainani declined to comment. The court is expected to issue its findings at a later date.

Husband breaks down during court proceedings

The emotional impact of the case was also evident during the hearing. While evidence about the workplace injury claim was being discussed, the woman's husband became visibly distressed in court. He apologised and explained that he had just seen photographs contained in the court documents, which had triggered an emotional reaction. The episode highlighted the continuing impact of the woman's death on her family as the coroner's inquiry examines the events leading up to it.

What the coroner's court is examining

The Singapore coroner's court inquiry is examining the circumstances surrounding the woman's death and the events preceding it. The court has heard evidence about her mental health, the suicide attempt at Changi Beach, her treatment at IMH, her discharge against medical advice and the pressures she was experiencing over the workplace injury claim. At this stage, the court has not delivered its final findings. The authorities have also not publicly concluded whether the workplace injury claim was fraudulent. The workplace injury claim therefore remains an issue that was investigated separately, while the coroner's inquiry is focused on establishing the circumstances surrounding the woman's death. The final findings will be delivered at a later date.

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