Struck by grief and mental illness, she hacked her father to death after a fight over housing
A Singaporean woman suffering from a delusional disorder brutally killed her adoptive father in 2022 over fears of losing her home. The tragic case exposed the devastating consequences of unresolved mental health issues and family disputes.
A Mother’s Death Sparks Growing Fear
Tan Qiu Yan, 31, was adopted by Tan Ah Bang and Koh Li Hua in 1992. Her mental state began to spiral after Koh’s passing from lung cancer on 29 August 2022. Before her death, Koh had assured her daughter a share in their Sengkang flat at Block 190A Rivervale Drive. However, since the couple were joint tenants, Mr Tan automatically became the sole legal owner.
Arguments over the flat’s future erupted shortly after Koh’s funeral. During her mother’s wake, Tan and her father clashed repeatedly. At one point, he threatened to evict her. Though he later promised to transfer the property to her, Tan began doubting his sincerity and feared she would become homeless.
A Chilling Decision Fueled by Delusions
On 4 September 2022, Tan purchased a chopper from FairPrice at Nex — the largest one she could find. She had started to believe her father intended to throw her out. The mental turmoil led her to plan his murder should he renege on his promise.
By early November, tensions flared again. On 2 November, Mr Tan threatened to donate the flat to charity instead. The next day, when Tan asked once more to be added as a co-owner, he refused and told her not to raise the issue again. That refusal sealed his fate in Tan’s mind.
Brutal Attack With A Chopper
Later that day, while Mr Tan was taking a shower, Tan retrieved the chopper and waited by the bathroom. As he opened the door, she swung the weapon at his neck. The violent assault lasted 10 minutes, with Tan delivering 45 to 50 hacks. Even after her father collapsed, she continued the onslaught until the blade chipped and dulled.
Instead of calling the authorities immediately, she cleaned the crime scene, changed clothes, disposed of evidence, and watched anime. Only at 5:30 a.m. the following day did she call the police, calmly saying, “My father passed away at home. Can police come please?”
Mental Illness Acknowledged In Court
A psychiatric report from the Institute of Mental Health diagnosed Tan with a delusional disorder and schizoid personality disorder. Her distorted sense of reality severely impacted her judgment and self-control. This finding led to a reduced charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
While the prosecution pushed for life imprisonment due to the brutality and her untreated condition, High Court judge Mavis Chionh acknowledged the mitigating factor of Tan’s grief. Tan had no prior violent history and had started medication in July 2024. The judge ruled that her actions stemmed from psychological breakdown, not persistent dangerous behavior.
18 Years For A Life Taken
On 14 July 2025, Tan Qiu Yan was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Judge Chionh described the act as “shocking and brutal,” highlighting the tragic irony that Mr Tan had spent his final day caring for his daughter — washing her uniforms and cooking dinner.
This harrowing case not only underscores the importance of mental health support but also reveals how fragile family bonds can become when layered with unresolved grief, miscommunication, and distrust.
The Sengkang killing reflects the heavy cost of unaddressed mental illness and family tension. For both Singaporean and Indonesian communities, the case is a grim reminder that psychological support and clear legal communication within families are critical to preventing irreversible tragedies.
Sources: Must Share News (2025) , Mothership (2025)
Keywords: Singapore Woman, Adoptive Father, Culpable Homicide, Delusional Disorder, Sengkang Flat, 18 Years Jail
