Body in carpark: Man charged with waitress' murder

A 23-year-old woman found dead in a multistorey carpark in Toa Payoh Lorong 2 last Thursday is believed to have been killed three days before. This was revealed yesterday when 24-year-old Syed Maffi Hasan was charged with her murder.

Ms Atika Dolkifli, who worked as a waitress, was found lying motionless at Block 146A in the morning.

She was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics at around 8.50am.

According to court documents, the alleged murder is believed to have occurred between 9.47pm and 10.33pm last Monday.

Just hours after Syed Maffi was charged in court in the morning, Ms Atika's family buried her at Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery.

More than 30 people attended the rites, including her extended family and former teachers. Many were in tears.

Her parents then thanked everyone who came.

The victim was last seen by her family last Monday at around 11.50am, according to her father, Mr Dolkifli Shariff. She was heading to work. He called her later at around 9pm, planning to pick her up from her workplace. But she did not respond.

The 61-year-old retiree said he was shocked to hear of his daughter's death from the police three days later.

"She was so happy-go-lucky," he told The Sunday Times, adding that she was close to her relatives. "Everyone loved her very much."

According to a report by Chinese newspaper Lianhe Wanbao, Ms Atika referred to Syed Maffi as a friend on her social media accounts.

But her father said that he does not know the alleged killer, who will be held in remand until Thursday, when he is scheduled to return to court.

Yesterday morning, another man was also charged with murder in a separate case.

Tan Chee Yeow, 39, is alleged to have repeatedly stabbed 48-year-old Tan Chin Siong at a covered walkway near Ang Mo Kio MRT station, leaving a trail of blood. Both men are Malaysians.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the accused is a hairdresser, and the victim used to be his customer.

Tan has been ordered to be remanded for three weeks at Complex Medical Centre in Changi for psychiatric assessment.

byseow@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on September 6, 2015.
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