Cantopop star Ellen Joyce Loo fell to her death from her home on Sunday in what’s being reported as a case of suicide.
Apple Daily reported police responded to a person falling from a building in Happy Valley’s Sing Woo road about 9:50am.
Canadian-born Loo, 32, was certified dead at the scene. Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious, according to The Standard.
The openly gay star — a champion for LGBT rights who came out as a lesbian last year — had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2013, according to reports.
In her last post to Facebook on Thursday, Loo posted a selfie along with a message.
https://www.facebook.com/EllenJoyceLoo/photos/a.184604541584031.42895.184537154924103/2037415289636271/?type=3
According to the SCMP, it reads: “I am going to do something great today – it is one of the decisions I made for myself since I turned 30. I finally understand why people like to take selfies of themselves as you really want to take a picture of yourself when you have a high morale.”
Born in Canada in 1986, Loo moved to Hong Kong with her family aged 4. A performer since her teen years, she formed the band at17 with Eman Lam in 2001.
The Cantopop and “folktronica” group produced several hits, including Meow Meow Meow and Kiss Kiss Kiss, before parting ways in 2010, when Loo went solo, moved to Taiwan and switched from performing in Cantonese to Mandarin.
In a Facebook post, People Mountain People Sea, a local music production group which worked with Loo, thanked fans for their condolences on behalf of Loo’s family.
https://www.facebook.com/EllenJoyceLoo/posts/2043158875728579
It noted the singer had faced a tough battle with her mental health and called on people to support those suffering from mental illness.
Loo, who married cinematographer FisherYu Jing-ping in Canada in 2016, was an advocate for LGBT rights and same-sex marriage, which is not recognized in Hong Kong.
She revealed she was gay during an acceptance speech at the 28th Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan last year.
Receiving the prize for Best Arrangement in the vocal category, she thanked her wife from the stage.
Openly gay lawmaker Ray Chan paid tribute to the singer on Twitter, as did the Pink Alliance
https://twitter.com/ray_slowbeat/status/1025991067726794752
盧凱彤 Ellen Loo was a champion for LGBT rights and an advocate for same-sex marriage – which she described as a basic human right. https://t.co/BVo1lMlxZu
— Pink Alliance 粉紅同盟 (@PinkAlliance_HK) August 5, 2018
Loo’s record label also released a statement on social media expressing grave sadness over her death. “We will miss her forever,” it added.
https://www.facebook.com/UniversalMusicHongKong/posts/10155707591315893
If you or someone you know needs help, please call
● 24-hour hotline at Suicide Prevention Services: +852 2382 0000
● 24-hour hotline at Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong: +852 2389 2222
● Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care: +852 2868 1211
