A maid from Myanmar was charged with murder yesterday, two days after a 70-year-old woman was found dead in her home.

Zin Mar Nwe, 23, is accused of killing the victim between 11.27am and 12.17pm on June 25. Ms Mehrotra was found lying motionless in her flat.

Zin Mar Nwe appeared via video-link from Central Police Division, where she is being held in remand.

The Straits Times understands that the maid, who had been working for the deceased's household, was not arrested at the flat.

The alleged murder was discovered after the police got a call around 3pm, asking for help at the flat. Officers found the victim lying motionless.

Paramedics pronounced her dead about 30 minutes later.

A person convicted of murder will face the death penalty.

Yesterday, the victim's son-in-law claimed her body from the mortuary at the Health Sciences Authority in Outram Road at 2.35pm.

He was accompanied by two unidentified men and the three men declined to speak to the media. Later, at Mandai Crematorium, more than 30 relatives and friends, most clad in white, attended the wake.

Her family members, declining to be interviewed, appeared speechless with grief.

Zin Mar Nwe will be back in court on July 4.

• Additional reporting by Fabian Koh

Clarification note: This story has been updated to remove the name of the deceased and all references to her address due to a gag order subsequently imposed by the court. This is to protect the identity of one of the trial witnesses who is below 18 years of age.