Lim Shiow Rong cold case

A mother's tin box of memories

She still keeps items related to her daughter in a container close to her bed, more than 20 years after her tragic death

Every time Madam Ang Goon Lay finds herself thinking of her daughter Shiow Rong, she will pull out old pictures from the pink tin box, which also contains school admission forms, a health booklet, newspaper clippings, and Shiow Rong's death certificate. ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG
After her daughter’s death, living alone in their flat in Toa Payoh Lorong 5 became unbearable for Madam Ang Goon Lay and she moved a few months later. ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG, DESMOND WEE
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In life, Lim Shiow Rong would jump in bed with her parents when she was scared, often needing their reassuring presence to fall asleep.

More than two decades have passed since the seven-year-old was sexually assaulted and killed, but her mother, Madam Ang Goon Lay, still has Shiow Rong close to her when she goes to sleep.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on January 17, 2021, with the headline A mother's tin box of memories. Subscribe