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SINGAPORE: A woman who was found dead near Bukit Batok Nature Park in November last year had suffered from major depressive disorder before fatally strangling her young son and committing suicide.
Mdm Nami Ogata had also sought medical attention a few days before her death, as she reportedly felt unable to cope with work and caring for her two children, according to coroner’s findings available Monday (October 19). ).
The 41-year-old Japanese national said in her suicide note that the prescription drugs were not helping her and that she continued to feel anxious about sleeping poorly.
Her five-year-old son, Sotaro Ogata, was also a source of concern and stress for her as he suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism, said state coroner Kamala Ponnampalam.
Mdm Nami and Sotaro were last seen alive by their maid on November 13 at approximately 9 p.m. The next morning around 6:10 a.m., the maid woke up to find that Mdm Nami and Sotaro had disappeared from his house at 23 Hume Avenue.
The maid continued with her usual duties as Mdm Nami had sent her a message stating that she had taken Sotaro to the hospital.
Closed circuit television (CCTV) footage captured Mdm Nami leaving the condo at around 5.40am. He arrived in Lorong Sesuai shortly after, parked his car next to a wooded area and got out of the vehicle.
She proceeded on foot into the wooded area and descended a slope. She was seen alone and no other vehicles were observed along that stretch of road.
A short time later, auxiliary AETOS police officers deployed to the nearby Bukit Batok Broadcast Station (BBTS) discovered the vehicle and saw that Sotaro was unresponsive inside the car. He appeared to be “sleeping” and was covered with a white blanket.
Mdm Nami was found a short distance away. He had lacerations on both sides of his neck, multiple lacerations on both wrists, and two stab wounds to his chest. A blood-stained kitchen knife with an 18 cm blade was also found near his body.
Mdm Nami and Sotaro were pronounced dead at the scene at 7.39 and 7.21, respectively.
Investigations revealed that Mdm Nami had likely strangled her eldest son with a ligature made from an elastic band and raffia rope in her living room before leading Lorong Sesuai with her son’s body.
A forensic pathologist later certified Mdm Nami’s cause of death as self-inflicted stab wounds to the chest.
WOMAN REQUESTED MEDICAL ATTENTION DAYS BEFORE THE INCIDENT
A medical report from the MHC Medical Center (Amara) indicated that Mdm Nami had sought medical attention on November 11, several days before the tragic incident.
She told Dr. Anthony Stanislaus that she had been feeling stressed and finding it difficult to take care of her two children while facing work. She added that her mood had been very low and that she had been anxious for the past few months.
She had poor sleep, poor appetite, weight loss, hair loss, and also had palpitations for about a week. He also denied having a suicide plan or intention, the coroner’s report said.
Mdm Nami was referred to a psychiatrist within the same consultation and attended a consultation the same day. She informed the psychiatrist, Dr. Anand Patil, that she was stressed because of her eldest son Sotaro, but did not reveal the reasons.
After Mdm Nami said that she felt depressed and had suicidal thoughts, Dr. Patil immediately referred her to the Department of Emergency Medicine at Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
A taxi was booked for Mdm Nami to go to SGH immediately.
According to a SGH medical report, Mdm Nami had presented in a bad mood and feeling depressed for the past year. She denied being actively suicidal and was discharged with prescription drugs for her insomnia and a memorandum for her private psychiatrist.
When she visited her private psychiatrist the next day, Mdm Nami reported that she was unable to sleep despite taking the prescribed sleeping pills at SGH.
The coroner’s findings showed that his appetite was poor, he had lost 8 kg, he felt low energy, he could not concentrate on work, he had little motivation to work, and he sometimes experienced shortness of breath and restlessness.
Mdm Nami also reported that she had “a brief transitory episode of thinking about ending her life” a week earlier. However, she had not made any preparations and declared that she would not harm herself because of her children.
She was evaluated as depressed and anxious about her dream, but not as “actively suicidal”. Her private psychiatrist also found her “relevant and coherent in her thoughts and she speaks without psychotic manifestations.”
MOTHER EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT YOUNG CHILD
Mdm Nami’s husband, Mr. Ogata Tomoaki, was in China on a business trip at the time of the incident. He said that Mdm Nami loved her children and had never been violent towards them.
The coroner’s findings revealed that Mr. Ogata had a “normal relationship” with his wife, although “he was busy with work and used to return home around 10:00 pm.” Mr. Ogata was not sure why Mdm Nami had committed suicide.
In the suicide note that she sent to her husband, Mdm Nami said that she was depressed and that she was going to “take Satoro with her.”
He added that his panic attacks were “too much” and that he often hyperventilated. He was concerned that if it collapsed, there would be no one to take care of the children.
He apologized for his actions and also expressed concern for his youngest son, Haruto. She repeatedly asked her husband to take good care of him and left him specific instructions for his development, care and custody.
Mdm Nami’s second suicide note was addressed to her brother in Japan. She asked him to take Haruto into her custody and raise him along with her children. He also informed him of the financial arrangements he has made for Haruto’s future expenses.
Based on the evidence, the coroner said that Mdm Nami’s death was found to be a deliberate act of suicide, while Sotaro’s death was an “unlawful homicide at the hands of his mother.” The coroner also conveyed his condolences to the family for their loss.
Where to get help: Samaritans of Singapore operates a 24-hour hotline at 1800 221 4444, or you can send an email to [email protected]. If someone you know is at immediate risk, call 24-hour emergency medical services.
