Choa Chu Kang fatal stabbing: Deceased woman, 21, cremated, her parents wept

Chua Bee Ting, the 21-year-old woman who was allegedly stabbed to death in a lift in Choa Chu Kang on May 26, has been cremated.

The cremation took place on May 28 evening, shortly after her family claimed her body, Shin Min Daily News reported.

Last rites

After completing the paperwork to claim the deceased’s body, the parents of the victim returned to the lift entrance of the block where the incident occurred to perform religious rites at about 5:30pm on Thursday.

A Buddhist monk was present.

After confirming the deceased's name and date of birth, funeral staff placed a dress she had worn in front of the elevator, along with a talisman inscribed with her birth date.

Chua’s parents initially appeared calm as they stood behind the monk.

However, they gradually became emotional and wept as the ritual progressed.

As the ritual concluded, the parents of the deceased stood on each side of the dress under the monk's guidance.

They each pinched a corner of the garment as a symbolic act before handing it over to the staff.

According to funeral service providers, funeral staff would take responsibility for offering incense, candles and performing certain ritual duties on the parents' behalf.

Cremation

At about 7pm, the funeral cortege arrived at Mandai North Crematorium.

According to observers at the cremation, Chua’s parents and three relatives were waiting inside the hall.

Funeral staff removed the coffin from the hearse and the coffin was brought from the entrance towards the ceremonial hall.

The coffin was then opened for the family’s final viewing.

Father burst into tears

Chua’s father was witnessed to have burst into tears.

He then addressed his daughter.

He mentioned that she was apparently on an internship and would earn money to buy her favourite car and even give him money to spend.

“You don’t need to give Dad any money. Dad can earn his own. But you left so soon,” he reportedly said.

Chua’s mother was also seen looking into the coffin.

“I can’t bear to let you go,” she reportedly said.

Her family also placed Chua’s favourite clothes and a pair of shoes into the coffin.

Two stuffed toys, including a red one, were placed inside too.

The funeral staff also placed the dress used in the ritual into the coffin.

Family members took turns paying their last respects before the coffin was sealed for cremation.

At about 8:05pm, as the coffin was slowly pushed through the wooden crematorium doors, family members bade their final farewells.

Background

On May 26, Chua was allegedly stabbed by a 22-year-old Malaysian man, identified as Mohamad Faiz bin Umar.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the man and woman knew each other and were reportedly a couple.

The incident occurred between 8:53pm and 9:22pm, inside Lift A at Block 248 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 2.

Police officers found Chua lying motionless at the lift lobby on the 12th floor.

She was pronounced dead on site by a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedic.

Faiz apparently jumped off the 18th floor of the block and struck a dustbin after stabbing the woman, resulting in serious injuries.

He was arrested for murder and conveyed to the hospital, where he was charged.

If convicted of murder, he faces the death penalty.