Maid charged with murder

SINGAPORE: A Myanmar maid was charged with murder two days after a 70-year-old woman was found dead in her home.

Zin Mar Nwe, 23, is accused of killing Mehrotra Shashi between 11.27am and 12.17pm on June 25.

The senior citizen was found lying motionless in her 12th storey unit at Block 791, Choa Chu Kang North 6.

Zin appeared via video link from Central Police Division, where she is being held in remand.

The Straits Times understands that Zin, who had been working for Mehrotra’s household, was not arrested in the flat.

The alleged murder was discovered after police received a call at around 3pm, requesting for assistance at the flat.

When officers arrived at the unit, they found Mehrotra lying motionless. Paramedics pronounced her dead about 30 minutes later.

Later that evening, police cordons were set up at a lift lobby at the block. Officers were also observed conducting investigation inside the flat.

Neighbours were shocked to hear about the incident.

Ricky Lau, 54, who lives in the same block, said residents were surprised to see many police officers there on Monday as the neighbourhood is usually peaceful.

He said: “I asked around and was told that a maid allegedly killed her employer.”

Kink San Nwe, 28, a sales agent who lives in nearby Block 792, said: “Things don’t usually happen in this neighbourhood, so I was surprised. I didn’t believe there was a murder at first.”

Zin will be expected back in court on July 4.

Convicted killers face the death penalty in Singapore. — The Straits Times/Asia News Network