Woman, 38, fell 10 floors to her death at Marine Parade condo possibly while sleepwalking: Coroner's inquiry

A 38-year-old Filipino woman, who had a history of sleepwalking, was found dead at the foot of the Laguna Park condominium in Marine Parade in June 2021.

On Dec. 20, 2024, a coroner's inquiry into her passing found that the woman, Ruth Dalumpines Dulfo, had fallen to her death from her 10th-floor unit at the condominium, reported Shin Min Daily News.

Although it was possible for Dulfo to carry out "complicated actions", such as opening her apartment window while sleepwalking, there were no witnesses or conclusive evidence to prove that she was asleep at the time, said the coroner.

While acknowledging there was no evidence to suggest Dulfo had suicidal tendencies, the coroner stated that she was unable to ascertain whether Dulfo fell from height intentionally.

As such, the coroner delivered an open verdict for the inquiry.

Police investigation findings

According to Shin Min, Dulfo came to Singapore 15 years ago in 2009 and shared a flat at the condominium with five housemates.

During an earlier coroner's court hearing in 2022, a police investigation officer said the police found Dulfo lying motionless under her toilet window after being alerted to the incident at around 7am.

Although the window was usually kept shut, it was "opened to a wide extent" on the day of the incident.

Later on, police found traces of Dulfo's DNA after swabbing the window lever, which can be used to push it open, as well as the bottom of the window.

Although Dulfo was 1.45m tall and weighed 48kg, the investigation officer stated that the police believed she could have been able to pass through the window because she was "a very fit individual".

Expert testimony

During the same hearing, a senior consultant at the National Neuroscience Institute also testified that climbing out of windows and driving cars are some of the complex actions sleepwalkers are known to perform.

While acknowledging her report was based on the assumption that Dulfo was asleep prior to her fall, the neurologist said Dulfo's history suggested that she was capable of carrying out similar actions while sleepwalking.

Both Dulfo's sister and her housemates had testified previously that they had seen her sleepwalking, during which she had gone down the stairs, tried to urinate, or gestured that she wanted to do so.

Based on the findings above, the police investigation officer said Dulfo was believed to have fallen out of the window while sleepwalking, and police did not suspect foul play.

Declared open verdict

During the Dec. 20 hearing, the coroner said the police has since interviewed Dulfo's manager and her housemates again, reported Shin Min.

At the same time, the police had also obtained her conversations with her mother and sister before her fall, which appeared "normal".

According to the conversations, Dulfo and her mother were discussing buying property in the Philippines, and her sister was complaining to her about feeling unwell.

Although Dulfo did not reply to their messages, she did not show any signs of dissatisfaction or suicidal tendencies, stated the coroner.

Helplines

If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:

SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24 hours)

Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 (for primary school-aged children)

SHECARES@SCWO: Call: 8001-01-4616 | Whatsapp: 65714400 (for targets of online harms)

Top images via Shin Min Daily News