A 52-year-old woman in Hong Kong has been arrested after allegedly killing her 85-year-old mother and 48-year-old brother with Down syndrome. According to reports, firefighters discovered the bodies in an apartment on Cheung Sha Wan Road after a social welfare worker reported that the family could not be contacted.
The brother was found with red marks on his neck, believed to have been suffocated, while the mother had wounds on her neck and was possibly stabbed with scissors. The scissors believed to have been used in the crime were also found behind the building.
The suspect was found sitting on the edge of the roof and attempted to jump before being rescued and handcuffed. He has a history of mental illness and has recently shared his suicidal thoughts. It is believed that the crime was caused by severe mental stress before he attempted suicide.
The investigation into the case is still ongoing and three social workers are currently assisting the family. According to government data in 2023, the number of elderly people in need of long-term care is increasing. In 2021, the number of elderly people in the city exceeded ₱2.43 million, and half of those in need of care are cared for by their children or in-laws.
From 2022 to 2024, more than ₱27,000 suicide cases were recorded among residents aged 60 and above, constituting more than 40% of the total. Mental health appears to be a continuing challenge for the city, especially among caregivers and the elderly.
