Investigation findings into the death of the mother who killed herself with her five-week-old daughter were made public on 28 May, which characterised the death as “yet another stark reminder of the devastating effects of postpartum depression”.
According to The Straits Times, the 35-year-old woman was an account executive on maternity leave when she “tragically perpetrated the unlawful killing of her infant daughter”, simultaneously with her suicide.
A passer-by reported to have heard two loud thuds, followed by the sight of the duo’s bodies on the ground, despite being aware of no previous commotion.
The police were immediately alerted, and both were pronounced dead at the scene from multiple injuries sustained in the fall.
Follow-up investigations found a mobile phone at the woman’s place of residence, which stored away a voice recording from her. She pleaded that her “mind was not working, she had no idea what she was doing, she was not a good mother and wife and had let them down.”
She also entrusted her husband to “take good care” of their elder daughter, who was four years old at the time of the incident, and was saddened that she could not be there to watch her grow up.
While she did not articulate an explicit desire to commit suicide, her colleague and friend did suspect she was suffering from postnatal depression.
She is reported to have told her husband that she “was stressed over having to take care of her two children and that she had forgotten how to do it” five days after her confinement period.
She also contemplated quitting her job after delivering the baby, though her husband suggested postponing such considerations to when she had recovered.
In her findings, State Coroner Kamala Ponnampalam noted that, despite her husband’s assurances and “making some alternative care arrangements for their older child”, “her concerns and anxiety persisted”.
The report remarked that the intense stresses of caring for a newborn can be difficult to manage together with household and work demands placed on a new mother.
It is crucial, then, that prospective mothers and their loved ones understand the weight of the stress when taking care of a baby, and “a good support network and genuine encouragement from family and friends are essential to help the new mum cope.”
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