A father who strangled his pregnant wife and their four-year-old daughter before setting their bodies on fire has been hanged to death for the brutal killings.
Former property agent Teo Ghim Heng murdered his wife, 39-year-old Choong Pei Shan, and their daughter, Zi Ning, in their home in Singapore on 20th January 2017.
The High Court heard how Teo attacked his wife Choong, who was six months pregnant, during an argument about money when she allegedly called him "useless" in front of their daughter.
Picture shows Teo Ghim Heng who strangled his wife, 39-year-old Choong Pei Shan, and their daughter, Zi Ning, in Singapore, undated. The crime occurred on 20 Jan 2017. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (Newsflash/NX)
The argument broke out when Teo, who by that point had lost his job as an estate agent and had amassed a huge gambling debt, told their daughter to change out of her school uniform and watch TV at home because he was unable to pay her school fees.
When Choong allegedly began insulting him, he told the court he became filled with rage.
He grabbed a nearby towel and strangled both Choong and little Zi, telling her she would be joining her mother first and he would follow after them.
Over the next eight days, Teo tried to hide the murders and attempted to take his own life.
But worried family members who had not seen or heard from Choong in over a week visited the home and got even more suspicious when they smelled a strong smell mixed with the smell of smoke.
They called the police, who discovered the mother and child's charred bodies in the bedroom.
Picture shows Choong Pei Shan, and daughter, Zi Ning, undated. They were killed on 20 Jan 2017. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (Newsflash/NX)
Teo was arrested and admitted to the crimes. A psychiatric examination found him to be criminally liable.
He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, which carries a death sentence in Singapore.
The trial was partially delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in November 2020, he was sentenced to death.
He later appealed the verdict but the conviction was upheld.
Teo, 49, was executed by hanging on Wednesday, 16th April, at the Changi Prison Complex.
(Simona Kitanovska / newsX)