A suspect accused of robbing and raping a woman in Kowloon Bay in the early hours of Sunday has taken his own life, local media reported Thursday morning.
The 48-year-old man surnamed Lam was being held at Sau Mau Ping police station, near his residence where he was arrested on Wednesday. RTHK reported that he was discovered unconscious at 9am.
He was sent to Kwun Tong’s United Christian Hospital for emergency treatment, which failed to save him.
The suspect was unemployed, said the police after apprehending him on Wednesday. Apple Daily reported that he had a long criminal history of robbery and burglary.
Around 12:30am on Sunday morning, the perpetrator in the Kowloon Bay incident robbed a 22-year-old victim of her smartphone on a footbridge near the MTR station.
After she chased him to the bottom of the bridge, he emerged from hiding, dragged her inside a fenced area and raped her.
See also: Police arrest suspect after woman raped and robbed near Kowloon Bay footbridge
Apple Daily reported that he threatened her with a knife and tied her wrists together as he committed the act. The victim was released around 5am.
HKFP has contacted the police for comment.
If you are experiencing negative feelings, please call: The Samaritans 2896 0000 (24-hour, multilingual), Suicide Prevention Centre 2382 0000 or the Social Welfare Department 2343 2255. The Hong Kong Society of Counseling and Psychology provides a WhatsApp hotline in English and Chinese: 6218 1084. See also: HKFP’s comprehensive guide to mental health services in Hong Kong
