SINGAPORE — A 28-year-old Indonesian domestic helper who allegedly stabbed her employer’s daughter to death in broad daylight was yesterday charged with murder.

Tuti Aeliyah, who was charged in hospital, is said to have killed Shameera Basha Noor Basha, 16, in the teenager’s home at Block 856B, Tampines Street 82, between 7am and 1pm on Thursday. If found guilty, Tuti could face the death penalty.

Shameera was a Secondary 4 student at Tanjong Katong Girls’ School and was taking her O-Level exams this year. She had participated in the Singapore Mathematical Olympiad this year and also wrote for her school newsletter, according to documents found online.

When contacted yesterday, the school’s Principal Mary Seah said: “We are saddened by the passing of our student. The school is providing support to the student’s family in this time of difficulty.

“We will also provide counselling support to staff and students affected by this incident,” she added.

The girl’s neighbours knew her to be polite and hardworking. A domestic helper who worked in the same block said Shameera would greet her whenever they met, while another neighbour said she was a “good student”.

When TODAY visited the flat yesterday, friends and relatives streamed in, but all declined to speak to reporters gathered outside.

According to neighbours, Tuti had started working in the family for over a year. They claimed that the petite helper always looked stressed out and was skinnier than when she first joined the family.

A resident in the adjoining block said she saw Tuti pacing back and forth along the common corridor, looking “troubled”, last Saturday.

Other neighbours said she was also not allowed to speak to outsiders or go out on her own. Ashley Chia