Questions over groom's death fall

NO ONE seems to have seen how Mr Vernon Leong Jun Wei fell to his death.

But news reports have speculated that the newlywed had fallen from the 24th-floor rooftop of the Hilton Hotel at about 3am yesterday.

The 24th floor has function rooms and a poolside garden.

When The New Paper checked out the hotel rooftop yesterday, it didn't seem likely that anyone could have fallen off without taking some effort to get to the edge.

A white, knee-high ledge surrounds the pool area.

Above this ledge is a metal railing to protect those who lean over.

For someone to fall off, he would first have climb over the ledge and railing, then cut through the various plants and shrubs planted at the ledge.

The estimated distance between the poolside wooden platform and the edge of the building is about 80cm.

The New Paper understands that Mr Leong's wife, Madam Kerin Peh, was not with him when he fell.

According to hotel staff, the couple's wedding banquet had ended by 11pm on Tuesday. By then, the pool area was closed as it is usually open till 10pm.

They said that the couple were staying on the 10th floor of the hotel, but could not confirm which floor Mr Leong had fallen from.

On suggestions that Mr Leong had gone up to the 24th floor to have a smoke, a hotel executive, who declined to be named, said: "He shouldn't even be smoking at the 24th floor."

Guests are expected to smoke outside the hotel.

This article was first published in The New Paper.