Parental stress linked to Kwai Fong murder-suicide

A 59-year-old mother is believed to have committed suicide and killed her 32-year-old intellectually challenged son by burning charcoal in their home in Kwai Fong Estate.

The tragedy was reported at around 11am yesterday when the sister of the mother, Wong, visited the pair's flat in Kwai Yan House for a welfare check after being informed that the son, Chan, was absent from work.

After hearing no answer when she knocked, Wong's sister used a spare key to enter the flat and found mother and son unconscious, with a burned-out charcoal cooker and suicide note beside them. The two were both certified dead at the scene.

The case has been listed as a murder-suicide with an investigation still underway.

Sources said the divorced mother was taking care of her moderately intellectually disabled son. She was recently diagnosed with heart disease and is suspected to have committed suicide over worries she will not be able to take care of her son.

Citybus later confirmed the mother had worked for the company. "Citybus learned of the death of a female regulator. We are deeply saddened by the incident and would like to express our deepest condolences to her relatives and will provide them with appropriate assistance," the company said.

It is understood Chan had worked in a sheltered workshop but was not admitted to a residential care home.

The government launched a series of support measures for carers last year but Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong executive director Clarence Tsang Chin-kwok suggested it put more effort into increasing residences for handicapped adults.

After leaving special schools, intellectually disabled persons must queue for residential care services, with an average waiting time of over 10 years.

"Most moderately and severely intellectually disabled adults have to be cared for by their parents, which induces prolonged stress," Tsang told The Standard. "Arranging for special school graduates to reside in community support services or enhancing day respite services can relieve the pressure on parents."

One resident in the same estate, Lee, said she empathizes with the pressures of being a carer as her 28-year-old daughter suffers from Down syndrome.

As her daughter's only carer, Lee said: "It is so harsh! I already have a lot of concerns and there would only be more if I also get sick."

When she was hospitalized last year, her only worry was who would take care of her daughter if she passed away. "If my condition got worse, I feel bad saying this - but I would hope [my daughter] passes away before me," she said.

Lee hopes special arrangements can be made for carers when they encounter unexpected problems such as illness.

Replying to The Standard's inquiry, the Social Welfare Department said social workers did not follow up with the two victims, while the district's Integrated Family Service Centre had contacted the family to provide them with appropriate assistance.

The department also urged members of the public to contact the IFSC or relevant welfare service units in their districts when encountering any difficulties.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com