Original article here.
Suffered from depression and was on medication for a year – left notes describing friends as untrue/insincere
(Malacca) Family members of dentistry student Tan Shyn Lyn, who leapt to her death in Singapore, revealed that the deceased had been suffering from depression, and had sought medical help a year ago, subsequently being on medication. Tan Shyn Lyn left behind 3 notes for her family, and another to a friend (or friends), the contents of the latter describing her surrounding friends as untrue/insincere.
Tan Chee Kwan (25 years old), brother of the deceased, held the ceremony for his sister’s remains today(Friday, 23rd April). Responding to the interviewing reporter, he revealed that he and his sister were the only children at home.
“The earlier news article reported that of the three notes my sister left, one was for a male friend. But that note was really for me. My sister never had a boyfriend.”
Tan Chee Kwan said that his sister never explained the reason for her suicide in the note, and only urged him to take care of their parents and their pet golden retriever at home.
Strong academic student and Asean Scholarship Awardee
He said the golden retriever at home was bought by his sister, and is presently four years old. His sister loved and doted on the dog.
He also noted that the Singapore police had discovered three diaries left by his sister, and had taken them to assist in the investigation. He has not seen the diaries, but they would be returned to the family once investigation completes.
Tan Chee Kwan, who graduated from Nanjing Normal University (NNU), had recently joined Sinchew Daily as a sports reporter.
He said that though the family had moved to Selangor and lived there for many years, they chose to place her cremated remains at the Melaka Memorial Park as all her relatives are in Malacca.
He revealed that his sister studied in Catholic High School, Petaling Jaya during her secondary school years, where she excelled academically and was awarded the Asean Scholarship award in her third year, after which she left to continue her studies in Singapore.
“When she first went to university she had wanted to study Forensic Medicine. But my father was of opinion that Forensic Medicine was a difficult field to study, and so my sister chose medicine and dentistry, eventually qualifying for dentistry.”
Tan Chee Kwan said that his sister was two months away from graduating from the National University of Singapore where she was studying. The family was shocked to receive the news of her passing.
Had been a victim of bullying
Tan Chee Kwan revealed that his sister had concealed the fact that she had sought psychiatric help.
However, he was comforted to know his sister had sought to face and address her problem. Though his sister is no longer here, as a brother, he wishes her well.
Always seeking the best
He said that his sister had traveled to Singapore alone after Form 3, and subsequently lived in a hostel. His sister had then revealed that she was bullied by her fellow students and was unhappy. Her housemasters had also counseled her.
“Perhaps her inner turmoil had begun accumulating at that point.”
He said his sister was a person who always sought the best, and never had any trouble with her academics.
“However, my sister was very frugal. In order to save money, she didn’t rent a flat unit with her friends, but chose instead to rent a small room on a 15th floor flat unit and lived there alone.”
He said that his sister’s last visit home was on the 13th of March, when her father had just completed a kidney surgery.
He said, when his sister was cremated in Singapore, professors and friends alike came for the final send-off. According to his sister’s friends, his sister spoke little of late, and had been very quiet.
Friends and family of the deceased came to the Melaka Memorial Park on Friday, bringing fruits and flowers. The women were tearful and appeared to be very sorrowful. The parents of the deceased were also present, but relatives declined to have them interviewed.
