UK holiday ends in grief after murder of Singaporean mom

Pek Ying Ling, 51, found dead at a Newcastle hotel on Monday. Photo: Northumbria Police/Facebook
Pek Ying Ling, 51, found dead at a Newcastle hotel on Monday. Photo: Northumbria Police/Facebook

A Singaporean man has been charged in the U.K over the murder of his wife. 

Soong Hert Fong, 50, was arrested on Monday after his wife, Pek Ying Ling, 51, who is also a Singaporean, was confirmed to have died at a hotel in Newcastle, according to Northumbria Police last night. Their three sons, who were supposed to reunite with their parents for a vacation in the country, have expressed their devastation in a joint statement.

“The whole situation is a huge shock to us. We were supposed to meet up for a family holiday, we are truly devastated. This is an incredibly difficult time for us so we ask that our privacy is respected while we grieve,” the family said. 

Police said that they were alerted to the incident at County Aparthotel on Westgate Road, where emergency responders found Pek “not breathing.” 

“Sadly, despite attempts to save her life, she was pronounced dead at the scene,” they said. Soong remains under police custody and is due to appear in court on Jan. 11. 

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