The story behind the iconic fig tree in Bukit Brown- Teo Chye Neo found

Madam Teo Chye Neo who lived in 40-A Onan Road was stab in the face and neck after a quarrel with a 16 year old Hylam Boy by the name of Yeo Tin Keng alias Ah Neok (Little Boy) who was employed as a cook in the deceased 's house at 10am in the morning of 23 June 1933. She died as result of extensive hemorrhage. It was also understood that Teo Chye Neo (who was married to Tan Siang Hee) had been pregnant for 7 months. 

Teo Chye Neo passed away at the age of 27 and was buried in Bukit Brown on 25 June 1933. Her burial entry is at Block 3 Section D, plot 373. Today we tried to find Teo Chye Neo and her unborn child. We found that a huge fig tree, a landmark in Bukit Brown hill 3 as taken over. Tombkeeper Queenie confirmed that there used to be a tomb there when she was young but even back as young lady, the fig tree with it aerial roots hanging down its branches has slowly enveloped the headstone. 

The fig tree that has engulfed the tomb of Madam Teo Chye Neo 

The fig tree with its aerial roots hanging down from the branches in the background of the iconic guards

Madam Teo Chye Neo 

Altogether 10 wounds

Dr. E.S. Monteiro, who did the post-mortem on the deceased on 26 June 1933 found 10 wounds altogether, 2 of which could have proved fatal. The cause of death was shock and hemorrhage from the stabbing. She passed away before the ambulance arrived. In another article it was initially reported she had 27 stab wounds. 

Child's evidence

The deceased 5 year old daughter, Tan Leong Choo was called as witness. Appearing frightened to answer any questions, she eventually shared that her mother scolded the accused and also slapped him. The latter picked up a knife and chase her mother and stabbed her.  She said her mother did not beat him with cane nor her clogs. Other witness testified that there were frequent quarrels between the deceased and the accused.

The Defense -Allegations of Grave Ill-Treatment

Yeo Tin Keng gave evidence on oath that he was 13 years and 7 months old. His parents were in China and he has a brother in Singapore. He was formerly employed in a house near the Joo Chiat English School. He came to work with the deceased when she offered him $6 which was $2 more than his previous income when they met at the Katong market. 

During the 3 months in which she worked for her, he said that he didn't received payment and she didn't allow his brother to see him. The back door and front door were locked. He claimed that the decease used to scold and abuse him by hitting him with a piece of wood, clogs and shoes. If she found a little dust on chair or for not washing the floor, she would abuse him. He was sometimes spat on and struck on the arm and forehead with a piece of firewood. He claimed the stabbing was done in self defense after the accused tried to stab him. 

Verdict

The verdict of culpable homicide amounting to murder was returned. Tell him, "that just because he was hit he had no right to chase the woman and stab her."

What happened to Tan Siang Hee and their daughter

Mr. Tan Siang Hee and his only daughter beg to tender their heartfelt thanks to all their relatives, friends, staff of I.C.H.V. Rotterdam and members of the Cashiers' Union who attended nigh visits and funeral. 

Tan Siang Hee (Cashier of The Rotterdam Trading Co., Ltd., so of the late Mr. and Mrs Tan Lian Pitt) was reported on 1 March 1934 to have engaged Miss Chia Kim Soh (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Eng Say of Chop Eng Kee, Marine Parade (Katong) Singapore, the well-known building contractor and Granite Quarries' owners of Singapore and Penang. Tan Siang Hee remarried to Madam Chia Kim Soh. 

Mrs. Tan Siang Hee of No.12 Chapel Road gave birth to a girl at the maternity Hospital on 20 May 1935. Mrs. Tan Siang Hee nee Chia Kim Soh gave birth to a daughter on 20 June 1937 at 38 Chapel Road. 

Epilogue

Things do happen for mysterious reason, with first, us helping to upright the tomb of Madam Chua Kim Neo  which lead to this story being discovered  and unlocked by Raymond Goh and today's search leading to this "find". Although we could not reveal the actual tomb of Madam Teo Chye Neo, but at least her story is now revealed to us after 93 years. Whenever i passed by underneath the swaying aerial roots of the fig tree i will remember Teo Chye Neo and her unborn child. 

[research on-going] 

References

Geylang Murder Case. (1933, June 23). The Straits Times, page 12

Geylang Stabbing. Young Chinese Woman Found Dead. (1933, June 24). The Singapore Free Press, page 7

Domestic Occurrences. Acknowledgment. (1933, June 27). The Straits Times, page 10

Stabbed Woman dies Unrelived. Alleged Brutal Attack by Servant. (1933, July 8). The Singapore Free Press, page 3

Alleged Murder in Onan Road. Woman with Twenty Seven Stab Wounds. (1933, August 11). Malaya Tribune, page 10 

Everybody here loves you. Five-Year-Old Witness. Victim's Daughter at Murder Trial. (1933, September 15). The Straits Times, page 13

Onan Road Murder. (1933, September 16). Malaya Tribune, page 12

Engagement. (1934, March 1). The Straits Budget, page 5