Singapore woman dies in UK hotel, husband arrested for murder

Singapore — Fong Soong Hert was arrested for the murder of his wife, Pek Ying Ling, after she was found in a Newcastle city centre luxury apartment complex.

Madam Pek, 51, was discovered not breathing at the County Aparthotel, Westgate Road, at 7:15 am (3:15 pm Singapore time) on Dec 6. A short time later, emergency crews pronounced her dead.

“Sadly, despite attempts to save her life, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after,” a police spokesman said.

Alerted by an emergency call, the police had gone to the hotel on Monday out of concern for Mdm Pek’s welfare.

Mr Fong, 50, was arrested at the scene and charged with the murder of his wife. He appeared before Newcastle magistrates on Tuesday (Dec 7) and was remanded in custody,

He is scheduled to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Jan 7, 2022, said the Northumbria police.

The police have contacted her family, who have requested privacy at this time.

The couple had been visiting England and are described in the UK media as tourists. According to The Straits Times, the couple had been married for more than 27 years and worked in Epic Times, an events management company.

She is listed as the director of the company and he, as its secretary. He is also the director of three other firms in the same industry – Evolution Werks, Knowledge connection and Marque Ventures.

Under UK law, the husband could spend the rest of his life in jail if he is convicted of murder. /TISG

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