Man, 25, to be charged with murder of his father

SINGAPORE — A 25-year-old man has been arrested and will be charged in court on Monday (Sept 26) for the murder of a 61-year-old man, believed to be his father, at Block 152B Bishan Street 11.

Neighbours TODAY spoke to described the family, who has been living there for the past three to four years, as generally quiet. This changed, however, on Saturday night.

It was around 8pm on Saturday when Mr Sathya, 24, heard someone at his front door.

“She was banging at the door asking for help. She said to me, ‘Can you call the police?’ She told me her husband was unconscious,” the full-time national serviceman told TODAY. “I thought it was a normal family dispute, but I didn’t know this happened.”

“This” turned out to be the murder of a 61-year-old man.

A neighbour on the fourth floor who works as a 33-year-old cleaner and who wanted to be known as Ms Yaya, said: “I heard some sounds as if there were people shouting and screaming, but I couldn’t really hear what they were quarrelling about.” 

The police received a call at about 8.20pm requesting for assistance. Upon arrival, the 61-year-old man was found lying motionless and was pronounced dead by paramedics at scene at about 9pm, the police said in a statement.

Neighbours said there were four people living in the flat: The husband and wife and their two sons. According to neighbours, the older son has “anger” issues.

Another resident who wanted to be known as Bob said he occasionally saw the elder man in the market or under the block.

“I’ll say hi to him when I see him,” said the 60-year-old building technician. “I don’t know much about him or his family, but I know his wife works as a cleaner.”

Representatives from Bishan East Zone 5 Residents’ Committee said the family was a ComCare recipient. ComCare provides social assistance for low-income individuals and families.

Mdm Susan Goh, who is one such representative, had visited the family twice this year and told TODAY the elder son is a divorcee with a young boy. The latter lives with the man’s ex-wife, said the 67-year-old programme coordinator.

Another representative, who wanted to be known as Mdm Fauziah, said she was “very surprised” by the murder. 

“Before that day, I met the two sons and wife. They took the eldest son to some Malay treatment ... because he has got anger issues,” said Mdm Fauziah, who is in her 50s. “The younger son just followed them.”

She added that in the last two years, she and other neighbours had called the police sometimes after the elder son began throwing things in the house, such as a television and a table.

“I called because I was scared he would throw more things,” said Mdm Fauziah. 

When TODAY visited the family, they declined to speak.

If convicted, the 25-year-old man may face the death penalty.