The victim was found hanging on a belt in a Tsuen King Circuit flat (Centaline photo) |
The police have confirmed reports that a Filipina domestic helper, known to many of her friends in Hong Kong as comely and bubbly, was found dead inside the washroom of her employer’s flat at 97 Tsuen King Circuit, Tsuen Wan on Saturday evening, Apr 13, apparently from a suicide.
According to a police spokesman, the 27-year-old Filipina was found hanging with a leather belt around her neck.
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Her employer called the police at 9:57pm to report the incident, and emergency personnel declared her dead at the scene.
A number of friends and acquaintances of the victim, who identified her as R.D.A., a single mother of two from Luna, La Union, expressed shock over her death.
They described her as fun-loving, and hardly gave reason for people to worry about her well-being. Her Facebook account shows she loved to do photo-shoots dressed in sexy outfits and looking very glamorous.
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One friend said that this is the reason why Filipinos in Hong Kong should be more sensitive to the moods and feelings of each other, as they don't know when the other is at a low point.
However, another friend posted that she and R.D.A. had a long chat the previous Sunday, during which the victim told her about her problems. This friend said she wished the young mother had confided in her more, instead of taking her own life.
According to the police, no suicide note was found at the scene, but their initial investigations revealed that the Filipina had relationship problems.
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The case has been classified as “dead body found” and the exact cause of death will be determined in an autopsy.
This is the second case of apparent suicide by a Filipina domestic worker in less than a month. On March 18, another Filipina hanged herself with a scarf inside the washroom of her employer's flat in Allway Gardens, also in Tsuen Wan.
On March 27, another Filipina downed bleach in Wan Chai in what was believed to be an attempted suicide. She was rushed to hospital in a semi-conscious state, but her current condition is unknown.
Filipinos who are suffering from depression and are having suicidal thoughts could call the hotline of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, 6345 9324 or the Mission for Migrant Workers at 9529 2326.
You may also call the hotline of The Samaritans Hong Kong, 28960000, and ask for a Tagalog counselor if you prefer one.