A 13-year-old Chinese girl who died after falling from a high-rise apartment in Tanjung Tokong has been identified as Zeng Yun Han (name transliterated from Chinese), the only child in her family.
Her former babysitter, known only as Madam Leong, described Yun Han as a cheerful and lively girl, saying she was shocked and unable to understand what led to the tragedy. The woman, in her 50s, said she had cared for Yun Han since infancy until earlier this year when the teenager entered secondary school.
“She grew up in my care and only moved back to live with her parents at the end of December. Her family wanted her to learn independence as she is already 13,” she said.
According to Madam Leong, Yun Han showed no signs of distress while living with her and was always happy in the lively household. She added that she received a call from Yun Han’s mother on Tuesday morning informing her of the incident, leaving her devastated.
It is understood that Yun Han had written a letter to her father before the incident. Her parents and the babysitter were seen at the Penang Hospital mortuary earlier in the day to complete arrangements for the release of her body.
The girl’s father declined to speak to the media, requesting privacy so that his daughter could “leave peacefully”. While waiting, he was seen overcome with grief, while the mother, visibly distraught, discussed funeral arrangements with undertakers.
Yun Han’s remains are expected to be released later in the day and will be taken to Baiyunshan Funeral Parlour for a five-day wake before cremation scheduled on Friday.
The incident occurred at around 5pm on Monday at a condominium in Tanjung Tokong. The teenager is believed to have fallen from the 16th floor of her residence, landing on a platform on the eighth floor, where she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Northeast district police chief ACP Abdul Rozak confirmed that a report was received at 6.45pm regarding an unconscious girl found at the location. Preliminary investigations found no elements of foul play, and the case has been classified as a sudden death.
