Lengkok Bahru murder victim a single father, his son, 20, reportedly at the scene at the time

A remembrance gathering was held on Jul. 22 evening for the 59-year-old man who died after he was allegedly stabbed on Jul. 20 by his neighbour, also aged 59, at Block 55 Lengkok Bahru.

The victim was a single father.

He is survived by his 20-year-old son.

Victim's son was at the scene

Shin Min Daily News reported that residents said the victim was a single father.

According to the Chinese-language paper, one neighbour shared that he heard the victim and his neighbour, Ng Swee Seng, having a heated argument.

The eyewitness later saw Ng allegedly entering his home to retrieve a knife.

The eyewitness quickly alerted the police.

As he was too far away, he could only shout in an attempt to intervene.

"The victim's son was at the scene. He was probably terrified," the eyewitness said, according to Shin Min.

The eyewitness shared that Ng threw the bloodied knife down from the 16th floor.

The victim was later found lying motionless at the 16th-floor lift lobby.

He died after he was taken to the hospital.

Police later arrested Ng, and he has been charged with murder.

Son "can't bear to come back"

Speaking to Mothership, Queenstown SMC Member of Parliament Eric Chua shared that he has spoken to the victim's 20-year-old son.

"He's obviously quite emotionally distraught," Chua said as he shared about his meeting with the son.

Shin Min reported that the son is a person with special needs.

Chua also said arrangements have been made to support the son financially and emotionally, such as connecting him with counsellors.

"I think he can't bear to come back, so we have to make sure he's got some temporary arrangement with somebody whom his father knew," Chua shared.

Recognising that "grief will take a long time", Chua said they are working to provide "mid to longer term" support for the son, such as ensuring that there are "befrienders", grassroots leaders and professionals at the ready.

"I think what is most important is at this point in time, as much as possible, to try to give him that emotional and psychological closure as much as we can," he said.

Victim and son moved in two to three years ago

The victim and his son had moved to Block 55 Lengkok Bahru about two to three years ago, Shin Min reported.

One neighbour residing on the same floor as Ng and the victim, surnamed Zhang (transliteration), shared that he had noticed that the victim would avoid Ng by taking the stairs down one storey to use the lifts there.

It was previously reported that Ng and the victim had allegedly been in a long-standing dispute.

The victim reportedly often drank alone at the coffee shop on the ground floor of the block.

One neighbour said he would sometimes urinate along the corridors, causing a stench, Shin Min wrote.

Accused lived at Lengkok Bahru for 20 years

A 15th-floor resident shared that he would often see Ng getting breakfast at the coffee shop or occasionally exercising nearby.

"He would sometimes ask me if I could help him with job recommendations, but I did not agree to it," the resident said.

Zhang said Ng would usually make casual conversation with neighbours.

Ng has resided at Lengkok Bahru for over 20 years, one 12th-floor neighbour shared, according to Shin Min.

He has lived alone ever since his mother passed away.

Neighbours also shared that Ng did not like it when others passed in front of his home, and neighbours would often avoid doing so by taking alternative routes to the lift lobby.

In court, Ng said, "If I hear sounds, I will scold people... I reacted because I heard [a] voice."

Ng's case has been adjourned to Aug. 12.

He faces the death penalty if convicted of murder.

Remembrance gathering for victim

When Mothership visited the gathering on Jul. 22, a number of residents and members of the public were seen gathered at the event.

Chairs had been set up at the multi-purpose hall of Block 55A Lengkok Bahru.

A notebook for members of public to pen their thoughts were also placed on a table, alongside white flowers.

At the front of the hall was a stage and backdrop, with the words, "One Lengkok Bahru, One Queenstown".

Chua was also present.

Religious leaders from various faiths led the crowd in a prayer.

They also visited and prayed outside the victim's unit.