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Yishun killing: Noise dispute known to authorities, persisted after mediation efforts, MP Jackson Lam says
The wife of the suspect had reported the noise issues at Lam's Meet-the-People Session in July.
September 25, 2025, 12:13 PM
A noise dispute between neighbours that allegedly led to the fatal stabbing of a 31-year-old woman in Yishun was known to the authorities, according to Nee Soon GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Jackson Lam.
However, the noise issues at Block 323 Yishun Central reportedly persisted despite mediation efforts, Lam said at a media doorstop on Sep. 24, as reported by The Straits Times.
Noise dispute made known in end-July
Lam, who helms the Nee Soon East ward, told reporters that he first heard of the noise dispute in end-July, when the wife of the suspect, living in a fifth-floor unit, came to the Meet-the-People's session to make a complaint.
Lam did not speak to the woman personally, but heard that she gave feedback about noise from the unit above.
Following this, Lam's team sent an appeal to the Housing and Development Board (HDB).
In early August, HDB replied that the disagreements continued despite mediation efforts at the Community Mediation Centre (CMC).
The case was also escalated to the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT), Lam said.
Lam added the Nee Soon Town Council has not received complaints on the matter.
Support for the family
After the fatal stabbing on Sep. 24, Lam said he spoke to the victim's sister and she shared an account of what transpired that morning.
"I gave her my number and reassured her that I will help her in whatever I can," said Lam.
Lam also said the family would update him on the assistance they would require, and he stressed that his "main priority now is for the two kids".
On that matter, Lam noted that the police are arranging for the victim's children to undergo an assessment.
"Now they are in the midst of it, so after which, they will make the necessary arrangements with the family," said Lam.
Background of the case
The attack took place at around 7am at Block 323 Yishun Central.
Police told Mothership that they received multiple calls for assistance.
Upon arrival, three people were seen lying injured on the sixth-floor corridor.
Partitions were set up by a police forensic unit on the sixth floor of the block, where the incident happened. Image by Daniel Seow
A 31-year-old Vietnamese woman was conveyed unconscious to hospital where she subsequently died, while two Chinese men, 33 and 67, were conveyed conscious to hospital.
The older man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
The police spokesperson said the fight arose due to a noise dispute.
Police cordoned off the lift lobby and fifth and sixth floors of the block following the fatal stabbing. Image by Daniel Seow.
A witness told The Straits Times that he heard "screams and a commotion" and saw the woman lying unconscious near the lift.
The husband reportedly attempted to fend off the knife-wielding assailant, and yelled for someone to help his wife.
He ended up getting stabbed as well.
During the scuffle, a neighbour quickly pulled the injured couple's young sons into their flat and closed the door, said the witness, who gave his name as Koh.
Another resident intervened and tried to split the two men up by taking the knife from the older man and kicking it away.
A resident told ST that the dispute was over the couple's young children making noise.
The children are believed to be around two and five years old.
The dispute has been going on for "years", he said.
Top image from The Straits Times/YouTube & Daniel Seow/Mothership
