A tragic unfolding at the coroner’s court reveals the deep impact of legal troubles on mental health, as seen in the case of Ms Geno Ong Kay Yong. The 46-year-old, who died by suicide on 6 September 2024, was found with two suicide notes, one of which pointed towards her legal struggles as a significant factor.
Legal Woes and Rising Fees
According to Inspector Jeremy Kuan, who detailed the case at the coroner’s court on 7 November, Ms Ong was beleaguered by multiple lawsuits filed against her by Mr Raymond Ng, associated with the anti-vaccine group Healing the Divide. Ms Ong’s online activities antagonised Mr Ng, leading to four court proceedings against her from August 2021 until her untimely passing.
- Two defamation suits were filed by Mr Ng, one on 24 August 2021, and another on 24 June 2024.
- Ms Ong claimed the lawsuits caused her to incur between S$55,000 and S$65,000 in legal fees.
- Health issues, including hair loss and blurred vision, were exacerbated by her inability to seek medical help due to financial constraints.
A Final Message
In a scheduled Facebook post made on the day of her death, Ms Ong expressed her distress, noting that she felt targeted by Mr Ng and his wife, Iris Koh. She described her perception that they aimed to intimidate ordinary Singaporeans into submission through legal threats.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
In a further twist, Iris Koh faces her own legal troubles, with 14 charges against her related to criminal conspiracy and harassment. Her trial, alongside suspended doctor Jipson Quah, is set to begin on 16 December 2024.
The coroner’s findings on Ms Ong’s case are expected on 12 December, raising crucial questions about the interplay between mental health, financial strain, and legal disputes in modern Singapore.