Australian Man May Face Death Penalty for Murdering Wife in Singapore

January 8, 2020

A man was given one charge of committing murder for allegedly killing his wife at a condominium in Buangkok, Singapore on Jan. 3.

The crime occurred at a third-floor unit at Esparina Residences at 12:07 p.m. on Friday, according to Channel News Asia.

Paul Leslie Quirk, 48, was arrested a day later for the death of his 43-year-old wife, Christina Khoo Gek Hwa.

“On 3 January 2020 at 12.07pm, the Police received a call for assistance at a residential unit at 125 Compassvale Bow,” the police said in a statement via Daily Mail.

“Upon arrival, a 43-year-old woman was found unresponsive in the unit and was subsequently pronounced dead at scene by paramedics. Preliminary investigations revealed that both the deceased and the man are known to each other. Police investigations are ongoing.”

Quirk was remanded at Changi Prison’s medical center for psychiatric observation after he showed no emotions during his brief proceedings.

District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan ordered the man to be remanded for three weeks and is set to return to court on Jan. 24. The man may face the death penalty if found guilty.

Quirk moved to Singapore from Australia in 2016 and worked as a senior podiatrist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital until November 2017.

“Armed with more than 17 years of experience in Podiatry, I decide to venture to Singapore with my passion in Podiatry, hoping to share my experience and knowledge to the local community,” the man wrote in his LinkedIn profile.

A police report did not initially reveal Quirk’s nationality, but the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that an Australian was recently arrested in Singapore.

“The department is aware an Australian man has been arrested in Singapore and stands ready to provide consular assistance in accordance with the Consular Services Charter,” a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, SingHealth refused to give comment about the case.

“We are aware from recent news reports about this case. As the case is currently being investigated by the police, it is inappropriate for us to comment,” SingHealth told CNA.

Images via @paul.quirk.161

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