Elderly couple in grim murder-suicide case

An 84-year-old man has been found dead in his bedroom in Kowloon Tong's Beacon Hill neighborhood with his nose and mouth covered with strips of tape, according to police.

His 71-year-old wife was also discovered unconscious in the room and with injuries to her neck and hand, suggesting a suspected murder-suicide case.

The wife, Cheng Ying-lee, is said to be overwhelmed by concerns about her ability to care for her husband, Edward Cheng Kin-wong.

The wife was initially taken to Caritas Medical Center in Sham Shui Po and later transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung.

The couple's domestic helper alerted police, saying she found the husband unconscious in bed with his nose and mouth taped shut while the wife lay on the bedroom floor with knife wounds and a bloodstained knife near her.

The husband was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators have not found a suicide note and are conducting post-mortem examinations. Police are investigating the incident with the assistance of the district crime squad of Kowloon City District.

It is known that the Kowloon Tong unit where the couple reside is owned by Stanley Cheng, chairman of Meyer Corporation, and other family members.

Edward Cheng Kin-wong shares the same name as an alumnus of the bachelor of medicine and surgery program at the University of Sydney.

Cheng suffered from Alzheimer's disease and muscular dystrophy, which significantly limited his mobility and rendered him dependent on others for care.

His wife, said to be burdened by depression and mood disorders, allegedly committed the crime out of fear that she would be unable to provide adequate care for her ailing husband. It is believed that the couple lived in separate rooms and, about two weeks earlier, the wife expressed suicidal thoughts due to concerns about her husband's care.

Two individuals, likely relatives of the couple, offered their assistance before leaving the scene at Panorama Court.

The upscale housing estate comprises four units, with sizes ranging from 1,349 to 4,122 square feet.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or possesses relevant information to call 3661-7859.

In other news, the government's carer hotline, 182183, has received an average of over 80 calls per day since it launched in September.

Secretary for Labor and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said: "Among the calls received, about 35 percent were seeking emotional counseling, 24 percent inquired about community support services, 15 percent were related to caring problems and 7 percent were concerned with financial problems. The government has provided crisis intervention through outreach services in 17 cases to address the immediate needs of carers and families."

He said the government will continue expanding its network of day respite services for the elderly to further support caregivers.

Lawmaker and registered social worker Connie Lam So-wai expressed deep sorrow about the incident and emphasized the need for high-risk case support services in communities, saying it is important for case managers to be aware of discharged cases.

Tik Chi-yuen, another lawmaker from the social welfare sector, said: "Social workers and services should not solely focus on the underprivileged. Mental health and emotional issues are not exclusive to any particular socio-economic group. I encourage individuals from all walks of life to seek help when needed."

The Beacon Hill tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by elderly caregivers and underscores the importance of providing adequate support and resources to address their needs, he added.

christine.tang@singtaonewscorp.com