Boon Lay murder: Victim would have wanted me to forgive alleged killer, says friend

SINGAPORE - The woman who was killed outside a flat in Boon Lay on Thursday, Nov 26 was a "sentimental soul" who "always sees the good in people".

In a eulogy that was shared on website All Singapore Stuff, a friend of Ms Soh Yuan Lin described her as someone who believed in second chances.

"Even if they disappoint her again and again, she still chooses to stick around. Cause she believes in second chances, she believes everyone makes mistakes and they shouldn't be condemn (sic) for it," the friend, known as Alicia, wrote.

Ms Soh, 23, a former air stewardess, died after being stabbed by Mr Neo Chun Zheng, 26, who is believed to be her ex-boyfriend.

Mr Neo has been charged with the murder, and his case will be heard again on Friday.

Ms Alicia, who is also a flight attendant and described Ms Soh as her best friend, wrote that the victim would have wanted her to forgive her alleged killer.

"I know that's what my best friend would want me to, to forgive him. I could almost feel her whispering, 'everything happens for a reason, that's just my life (sic)'", she wrote, adding that she did not hate Mr Neo but pitied him and felt sorry for his family.

Ms Alicia said that she had not spoken to Ms Soh for a month due to an argument, but revealed that she had been planning a birthday surprise for her friend soon.

"I hope she didn't leave this world thinking I was still upset with her," she wrote, while also lamenting that she never had the opportunity to apologise to Ms Soh before her death.

Ms Alicia also recounted her experiences of being in the secondary school volleyball team together with Ms Soh. Even though Ms Soh was not one of the main players on the team, she never failed to turn up for training or to give her support.

"Thank you for everything. I never stopped loving you and I know you have never stopped loving me too," she wrote.

seanyap@sph.com.sg