Man who stabbed son-in-law to death in Boon Tat Street in 2017 dies of heart attack, says daughter

SINGAPORE – The man who was convicted of fatally stabbing his son-in-law in Boon Tat Street in 2017 has died, nearly two years after he was released from prison.

Mr Tan Nam Seng died on Aug 10, according to his obituary that was published in The Straits Times on Aug 12.

He was 80 years old.

His daughter, Ms Shyller Tan, told ST that he had a heart attack in his sleep and died peacefully at home.

She said: “My dad had been in poor health but always in great spirits. We celebrated National Day together (and) brought him out for meals; he looked well and all.

“We would like to thank everyone who walked the great journey of life with our dad. Friends who have never left his side, as well as strangers who came to his aid without qualms,” added Ms Tan.

An Instagram page maintained by Ms Tan had documented Mr Tan’s activities after he was released from prison. The first post was dated April 1, 2023.

Over 90 posts till July 8 captured a white-haired Mr Tan going about his daily life, including shopping, having meals with his friends and family, and visiting the doctor.

Some pictures show him on overseas trips and enjoying festivities such as Chinese New Year with his family.

Mr Tan was

convicted in 2020 of culpable homicide

for stabbing his son-in-law, Mr Spencer Tuppani, in the chest three times outside a Telok Ayer Street coffee shop in July 2017.

Mr Tan was upset with Mr Tuppani for the way he treated his daughter Shyller. He also believed his son-in-law had cheated him of his shipping business.

Closed-circuit television footage of the incident showed Mr Tan kicking Mr Tuppani twice in the face and chasing passers-by away.

When Mr Tuppani collapsed in Boon Tat Street, Mr Tan told passers-by: “This is my son-in-law, don’t help him, let him die.”

He was initially charged with murder, but this was reduced after a psychiatric report said his depression had impaired his mental responsibility for his actions.

In 2020, Mr Tan was sentenced to 8½ years’ jail, but was released in 2023 after his jail term was backdated to the date of his arrest and with one-third remission.

In 2023, Ms Tan, her sister Sherry Tan and Mr Tuppani’s first wife Felicia Keh launched a civil suit against Mr Tuppani’s parents to

recover a luxury watch

he was wearing when he was killed, but lost.

They had sought to get back the Richard Mille watch or, alternatively, a sum of $389,205.13.

Mr Tan leaves behind a son, four daughters and four grandchildren.

Mr Tuppani’s name was not mentioned in Mr Tan’s obituary.