ITE College Central murder: 56-year-old director of exams division allegedly stabbed by ex-husband

A woman was found dead at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central campus on the evening of July 19, 2018. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
A 56-year-old woman was found dead at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central campus on the evening of July 19, 2018. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
When The Straits Times visited the site on Thursday at about 9.30pm, the entire carpark area had been cordoned off and the victim's body had not been removed. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
When The Straits Times visited the site on Thursday at about 9.30pm, the entire carpark area had been cordoned off and the victim's body had not been removed.
ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it received a call at 7.40pm about the incident, and sent two ambulances to the scene. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

SINGAPORE - A woman was found dead at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central campus carpark in Ang Mo Kio on Thursday evening (July 19).

The police said they were alerted to an incident at 7.40pm involving a man who allegedly stabbed a 56-year-old woman in the school's carpark. The case has been classified as murder.

The Straits Times understands that the victim is Low Hwee Geok. She was the director of ITE's examinations division, according to the Singapore Government Directory. The suspect is her former husband.

Ms Low was found lying motionless at the scene and was pronounced dead by Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedics.

A 66-year-old male suspect was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. It is understood that the suspect stabbed himself.

SCDF, which sent two ambulances to the scene, said the man sustained serious injuries.

When The Straits Times visited the site on Thursday at about 9.30pm, the entire carpark area had been cordoned off. The victim's body had not been removed and was lying between two cars. Police officers were at the scene.

Ms Low Hwee Geok was the director of ITE's examinations division, according to the Singapore Government Directory. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM ITE.EDU.SG

An ITE spokesman said in a statement issued at around 12.10am: "This is an isolated incident, and we would like to assure parents, students and the public that our campus is safe for students, staff and members of the public."

He added that as the police were investigating the case, ITE was unable to comment further. The school staff were saddened by the tragic incident, the spokesman said.

He added that lessons will carry on as normal on Friday (July 20).

Mr Ang Wei Neng, a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Education, said: "It is sad that such a tragic incident has happened in the school compound.

"We hope that the management of ITE College Central can act quickly and decisively to enhance the security of the college to assure parents, students and staff of their safety."

Most students still on campus at around 10pm said that they had not heard of the incident, as the sheltered carpark is in an area with less foot traffic.

Year 2 student Zatil Nazurah, 18, said she received a text message from a teacher telling her to be careful and to stay away from the basement carpark.

"A lot of us just came out of CCA (co-curricular activity), so we don't know what happened. We were told to stay away from the main carpark but don't know why."

A Year 1 student, who gave her name only as Didi, 16, said she had also been told to keep away from the carpark.

"I'm feeling quite scared now about the safety here," she said.

Remote video URL

Ms Low's body was removed from the school campus at 12.40am.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.