It was the fifth suspected suicide by a Filipina helper in Hong Kong since January this year, and the third death in recent weeks.
Police described the latest incident as “death by falling from height” and said an autopsy would be carried out to determine the cause of death.
“Officers had not seized any will note at scene. Initial investigation revealed no suspicious circumstances. Subject was suspected to have fallen from a footbridge in the terminal. Her cause of death is pending confirmation by autopsy,” the police said in answer to an inquiry from The SUN.
The bodies of two other Filipinas who died recently, one of them in another case of falling from height, are awaiting repatriation to the Philippines.
Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily reported that the woman, surnamed Solomon, looked distraught and was walking aimlessly in the departure area near check-in counter G shortly before the incident.
Consular officers who went to the Kwai Chung Mortuary were reportedly told by the woman’s employer that the Filipina had resigned effective Apr 6 and was supposed to fly home on Apr 7.
The employer said she was not aware of any problem bugging the maid, who was on the eighth month of her second contract. The maid joined the family after serving her first Hong Kong employer for two years.
But an Apple Daily report said Solomon decided to go home to patch things up after her boyfriend threatened to break off with her. Just hours earlier, she went to a police station in Tai Po asking where to buy an air ticket. This led the officers to contact her employer.
Her employer bought her a ticket and put her on a taxi to the airport on Apr 7.
At about 7am, she was reportedly at the airport looking distressed and wandering aimlessly in the passenger concourse. Then witnesses saw her climb over the barrier and jump, the report said.
She was pronounced dead after being taken to Queen Margaret Hospital in Lai Chi Kok.
On Mar 18, the body of another Filipina helper was found under a bridge in Lohas Park, Tseung Kwan O. Police said she had fallen from height.
The 47-year-old woman was identified only on Mar 24 when officers found her Hong Kong ID.
– Vir B. Lumicao
