Double deaths at Bukit Panjang

A woman and her eight month old baby were found dead at the foot of a block of flats in Bukit Panjang last Friday. The police have classified this as an unnatural death and are currently investigating.

Grisly find
Last Friday, Ms Iris, a 39-year-old housewife was with her daughter coming back from running some errands when she encountered a grisly sight. She had heard something drop and thought it was just a rubbish bag. But when  she turned, she saw a baby.

She says, "It was completely silent before I heard the body hit the ground. There was no scream. The baby did not cry. It was on its back. I vaguely saw an injury on its head.”

About two seconds later, the woman's body hit the ground about two metres from the baby's body. The gruesome sight shocked Ms Iris but she still had the good sense to pull her daughter away from seeing the bodies and be traumatised further.

Double suicides over a two month period
The victims have been identified as Madam Wei Xiu Ling, 40, and her 8 month old baby daughter Wu Ming Shan.

This tragedy comes in the wake of another mother and baby death in Sengkang about a month ago. The circumstances might have been different but then end was the same.

No trouble in paradise
Neighbours and residents of Bukit Panjang have been shocked by these deaths that they can't make sense of. One neighbour, Madam Rossy, who had contact with the deceased before she plunged to her death said, "[Mr Wu and Madam Wei] were a loving couple and I have never seen them quarrel."

What leads these women to become so desperate that taking their own life becomes the only choice.

Post natal blues?
In this case, there are suggestions that Madam Wei could have been suffering from post partum depression since the birth of her little girl earlier this year. Post partum depression may manifest itself in these ways:

• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Intense irritability and anger
• Overwhelming fatigue
• Loss of interest in sex
• Lack of joy in life
• Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
• Severe mood swings
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

In the case of Madam Wei, it seems that she had found no other way out of whatever pain and challenges she might be feeling or suffering from and that could possible why she resorted to jumping.

Life is precious
Life is a gift that once it's lost, it can never be reclaimed. Thus whatever you might be facing or feeling, remember that it's only temporary and taking your own life is never the way.

You are not alone
It is important to remember that whatever you are going through, you are not alone. A burden shared is a burden lightened. That is why it is essential that you or your loved ones recognise the signs of depression.

However, a strong support network is critical because a person who is suffering from depression might not realise that they are sick. Thus it is up to family members or even neighbours to realise that there is a problem and get help before it is too late.