PUBLISHED ONJuly 30, 2025 10:32 AMBYYeo Shu HuiAn investigation into the death of local actress Alice Ho from post-op bacterial infection began on Monday (July 28), two years after her death.
Alice, who debuted in local showbiz in 1997 and is most well-known for playing Taugeh Soh (Beansprout auntie) in local long-form TV drama Holland V (2003), died at the age of 72 on July 9, 2023.
According to a report by Lianhe Zaobao on Monday, she underwent surgery for uterine prolapse at Singapore General Hospital on July 6, 2023, but died from sepsis and peritonitis a few days later on July 9.
The Coroner's Court opened an inquest on Monday following questions her family raised about the medical and post-operation treatment she received prior to her death.
The court heard that Alice had visited the hospital in April 2023 and was attended to by Dr Lin Shaojiang (transliteration). Dr Lin testified that Alice had complained of a lump between her legs that had troubled her for a decade and affected her urination.
Upon further examination, the doctor found her uterus to have prolapsed and proposed three options, including undergoing surgery to remove her uterus and repair the pelvic floor, which Alice decided to go for after discussing with her family.
Dr Lin added that the operation was successfully completed on July 6, 2023, and when he checked on her the next day, she was awake and able to communicate normally.
However, Alice's condition worsened later, and she was found to have bacterial infection after a CT scan. The medical team decided to perform surgery to find the source of the infection. They found a small amount of fluid in her pelvis and there were no abnormalities in her surrounding internal organs. She was prescribed antibiotics, but her condition did not improve, and she died in the evening of July 9.
The court learnt that investigation found Alice's cause of death to be bacterial infection by E. coli, which was translocated during the removal of her uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
A medical expert who testified at court said that the bacteria was likely transmitted from a laceration in her intestines or from the medical devices that were used.
On the second day of the hearing on July 29, the court heard that Alice's examination results corresponded to an abdominal infection, which they treated with antibiotics. However, she didn't respond to the treatment and her condition deteriorated.
The case will be concluded by the Coroner's Court at a later date.
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