Man who stabbed son-in-law to death in Singapore's Boon Tat Street in 2017 dies of heart attack, says daughter
SINGAPORE: The man who was convicted of fatally stabbing his son-in-law in Boon Tat Street in 2017 has died, nearly two years after he was released from prison.
Tan Nam Seng died on Sunday (Aug 10), according to his obituary that was published in The Straits Times on Tuesday (Aug 12).
He was 80 years old.
His daughter, Shyller Tan, told ST that he had a heart attack in his sleep and died peacefully at home.
She said: 'My dad had been in poor health but always in great spirits. We celebrated National Day together (and) brought him out for meals; he looked well and all.
'We would like to thank everyone who walked the great journey of life with our dad. Friends who have never left his side, as well as strangers who came to his aid without qualms,' added Shyller.
An Instagram page maintained by Shyller had documented Tan's activities after he was released from prison. The first post was dated April 1, 2023.
Over 90 posts till July 8 captured a white-haired Tan going about his daily life, including shopping, having meals with his friends and family, and visiting the doctor.
Some pictures show him on overseas trips and enjoying festivities such as Chinese New Year with his family.
Tan was convicted in 2020 of culpable homicide for stabbing his son-in-law, Spencer Tuppani, in the chest three times outside a Telok Ayer Street coffee shop in July 2017.
Tan was upset with Tuppani for the way he treated his daughter Shyller. He also believed his son-in-law had cheated him of his shipping business.
Closed-circuit television footage of the incident showed Tan kicking Tuppani twice in the face and chasing passers-by away.
When Tuppani collapsed in Boon Tat Street, Tan told passers-by: 'This is my son-in-law, don't help him, let him die.'
He was initially charged with murder, but this was reduced after a psychiatric report said his depression had impaired his mental responsibility for his actions.
In 2020, Tan was sentenced to 8½ years' jail, but was released in 2023 after his jail term was backdated to the date of his arrest and with one-third remission.
In 2023, Shyller, her sister Sherry and Tuppani's first wife Felicia Keh launched a civil suit against Tuppani's parents to recover a luxury watch he was wearing when he was killed, but lost.
They had sought to get back the Richard Mille watch or, alternatively, a sum of S$389,205.13.
Tan leaves behind a son, four daughters and four grandchildren.
Tuppani's name was not mentioned in Tan's obituary. - The Straits Times/ANN
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
an hour ago
- Focus Malaysia
Defiant Akmal confronted by counter protest, chastises party guilty of flying flag upside down hailed as hero
SUCH was the sentiment expressed by UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh after having led a group of about 300 protestors in a 1.4km 'peaceful' march to the hardware shop in Kepala Batas, mainland Penang 'to salvage the pride of our Jalur Gemilang'. This came about after Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) director Zaid Malek who did not mince his words in wanting to school the firebrand Merlimau state assemblyman that his actions are unlawful and to protect the store owner from bullying and intimidation, 'set up a human barricade' of his own. In fact, Malay news portal MalaysiaGazette reported that a war of words erupted after Zaid and his group displayed 'Jangan bersikap Zionist' (Don't behave like Zionists) placards to the UMNO and Bersatu Youth rally-goers. At the very outset, newly-appointed Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail has urged all parties to wait for a decision by the deputy public prosecutor's office on the allegation of the Jalur Gemilang being flown upside down and to refrain from any actions that could heighten tensions. Editor's Note: Akmal reacted to the call with the response that 'we only come to see the big flag (put up by DAP at the hardware shop premises) and just to eat nasi kandar 😉' 'The party guilty of flying the Malaysian flag upside down are looked up upon as heroes!' lamented Akmal on his Facebook page. 'Those who defend the Malaysian flag are considered Zionists. That's indeed their nature. It's true that Buang exists (Editor's Note: Probably referring to Zaid as a traitor in reference to a treacherous cop character in P. Ramlee's 1958 film Sarjan Hassan).' Reacting to the Russia-trained medical doctor's having defied the police order not to hold any gathering in Kepala Batas yesterday (Aug 14), Penang DAP is expected to file a police report today (Aug 15) against such action. 'Penang DAP urges the police to take strict action against him (Akmal) to send a signal that provocative acts like this are not allowed in this country, especially during the National Day month which is supposed to promote unity and not division,' the party's state chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong pointed out in a statement. 'As part of the state government, Penang DAP fully respects the (police) directive and has not mobilised members and supporters to attend the rally. 'Only local representatives were present to distribute the Jalur Gemilang in conjunction with the National Day celebration month as an effort to foster the spirit of patriotism and strengthen the unity of the people.' In his message to his 'troops' earlier, Akmal has reiterated his 'No fear, No surrender' slogan – a hint that he is unwilling to let the issue die down that easily – which he popularised to rally protestors during the KK Super Mart sock-gate ordeal. 'We came not because of the political banner but because of our beloved Jalur Gemilang,' he penned on his Facebook page. 'Thank you to the police, the FRU (Federal Reserve Unit) and everyone involved,. We've successfully proven that we can assemble peacefully. No fear, No surrender!' – Aug 15, 2025
Rakyat Post
14 hours ago
- Rakyat Post
Japanese Influencer In Malaysia Claims Family Received Death Threat From Ramen Restaurant Owner
Subscribe to our FREE Kaz Fula, a Japanese influencer based in Malaysia, claimed that his family has received death threats from a ramen restaurant owner here, who's also Japanese. The ramen restaurant owner has been charged for domestic violence in 2023. He currently claimed that Japanese influencers and people in Malaysia have caused him loss in ramen sales and profits. This belief allegedly led him to threaten and blackmail others. Kaz claimed the restaurant owner is using fake profiles online to harass people with fake stories, issuing death threats, and even asking for money for help. Kaz said he felt sad and ashamed to see this kind of behaviour and violence from a fellow Japanese person in Malaysia. He shared he has reported the issue to the police and the embassy. However, he implored the public to help spread the word and report to local authorities because his family's safety is not certain. He also advised the public to report the fake profiles allegedly used by the restaurant owner. What has the ramen restaurant owner claimed? Some of those posts are still up on the ramen restaurant owner's Instagram profile. The owner posted on 19 July that he would ban all Japanese residents in Malaysia from dining in his establishments. He claimed he was bullied by these people and has had enough. In another post on 12 August, he claimed a Japanese resident in Malaysia with a Dato title has threatened him and his staff so he swore to expose the Dato's alleged illegal dealings in the country. Today (14 August), he posted that he's leaving Malaysia for Okinawa and will be closing down all his ramen outlets. He's concerned about his local staff losing their jobs and asked if there are companies willing to hire them. In his last post, he said he would return in five years time due to Malaysian laws. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Malay Mail
18 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Alleged Singapore debt scam syndicate hire charged with homicide, arson, mischief and blackmail
SEGAMAT, Aug 14 — A 21-year-old man, allegedly hired by a Singapore debt scam syndicate, claimed trial in the Sessions Court here today to eight charges including causing the death of an elderly woman, mischief by fire and burning down five houses last month. The accused, Chew Hong Joe, pleaded not guilty before Judge Rahim Abd Majid. He is accused of causing the death of 72-year-old Tan Ah Gek at a house in Jalan Francis Khoo, Kampung Bukit Siput here at 4am on July 25. The offence, under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, carries a maximum 10-year jail term or a fine, or both, if convicted. For the second to sixth charges, Chew is accused of setting fire to five houses at the same location, time and date. The offence, under Section 436 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum 20-year prison term and a fine for each charge. Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Khalijah Khalid appeared for the prosecution, while Harcharanjit Singh represented the accused. The prosecution did not offer bail, citing the seriousness of the offences under Section 388 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and the court also denied bail. Later in the Magistrate's Court here, Chew was charged with two counts of criminal intimidation through notices pasted on the fence of houses belonging to two individuals, aged 49 and 54. The alleged acts were committed at a house of worship and at a fence along Jalan Francis Khoo, Kampung Bukit Siput and Taman Ria here at 4am and 6.45am. For these charges, under Section 507 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation by anonymous communication, Chew faces up to two years' jail for each offence if convicted. Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur 'Aina Muhammad Ismail Tajd appeared for the prosecution, while Magistrate Dhilip Nair Atchuthan set bail at RM8,000 for both charges.
