Scroll to continue reading<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\nShe said Thiyagarajan would often help her with simple household chores in exchange for money to buy meals.<\/p>\n
\u201cI use a wheelchair to get around, so he\u2019d help me bring in my laundry. If I came back from shopping, he\u2019d carry my things upstairs and then ask if I could spare him $5 or $10 for food,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Maria described Thiyagarajan as a friendly person who frequently greeted neighbours, adding that many residents were shaken by his death.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I heard he had died, I was shocked. He was such a nice person. Why did he have to go so suddenly?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Maria added that even though Thiyagarajan was a frequent drinker, he was rarely disruptive and usually kept to himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven when he was drunk, he would just rest downstairs by himself. He never disturbed anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Victim had spoken about disputes with neighbour<\/h2>\n
Another neighbour, 58-year-old Madam Yao (transliterated), who had known Thiyagarajan for more than two years, said he had previously confided in her about frequent disputes with a neighbour.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told him to avoid the other party because it wasn\u2019t worth escalating things. I never imagined something like this would happen so soon,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Neighbour treats victim\u2019s son as her own<\/h2>\n
Speaking of Thiyagarajan\u2019s son, tears welled in Maria\u2019s eyes as she recalled him taking on odd jobs occasionally. She added that he was otherwise inseparable from his father and was believed to have mild autism.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe doesn\u2019t talk much. When he comes to my home, he just sits quietly and is very well-behaved. I\u2019ve already come to treat him like my own son. If necessary, I\u2019d even be willing to adopt him,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Queenstown SMC MP Eric Chua said he had spoken to the victim\u2019s son after the incident.<\/p>\n
He said that the son was still emotionally distressed and is currently staying with one of Thiyagarajan\u2019s friends, adding that he is not yet ready to return home.<\/p>\n
In a Facebook post on July 21,<\/a> Chua explained that grassroots leaders were working closely with agencies and community partners to support the family with immediate needs, funeral arrangements, and counselling.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Stomp](\"https:\/\/www.stomp.sg\/assets\/stomp-comment-COLiWNMD.png\")
<\/p>\n
Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n