Murder suspect remanded for psychiatrist check

SINGAPORE - A man accused of murdering his godmother in a Yishun flat was yesterday remanded for psychiatric assessment.

P. Mageswaran, 46, was charged in court last week with causing the death of Madam Kanne Lactmy at her flat in Yishun Street 81 between 8.34am and 12.27pm on Dec 9.

The 62-year-old mother of four and grandmother of six died from manual strangulation.

She was found lying on the floor of her four-room flat in Block 875 and was pronounced dead in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital at about 1.30pm.

She was living in the HDB unit with her youngest son and his family, who were away in India for a holiday at the time.

Madam Lactmy's eldest son, Mr Gerrard Bala, 41, told The New Paper last week that the family initially thought she had suffered a heart attack as she had been taking medication for diabetes and heart problems for more than 10 years.

The limousine driver said his aunt, who lived nearby, discovered the body when she and her neighbour's maid went to check on Madam Lactmy.

He said the sisters would meet to chat every morning and his aunt became worried when her calls went unanswered that day.

They found the body in the bedroom of Mr Bala's younger brother.

Family members later gave police information on jewellery that had belonged to the victim including a favourite gold necklace which had been a gift from Madam Lactmy's late husband who died three years ago of a heart attack.

Mageswaran, who lived in Johor Baru with his family, was arrested at Woodlands checkpoint on Dec 17 while trying to enter Singapore.

His next court date is Jan 16.

If convicted of murder, he could be sentenced to death or jailed for life or caned.

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