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Sep 3, 2009
Japanese stabbed self in hotel
By Elena Chong, Court Correspondent
A RETIRED Japanese doctor who was found with a stab wound in his chest in a luxury hotel lost a substantial sum of money in the financial crisis, a coroner's court heard on Thursday.
Dr Takamasa Kato, 64, a divorcee and owner of several hospitals in Japan, was found with a knife embedded in his chest in his room at Ritz Carlton Millenia at Raffles Avenue on March 9.
A chambermaid had used a key to open the room after getting no response from the guest. There was a 'do not disturb'' sign placed at the door.
After tidying up the bed, she went to the toilet, where she found Kato slumped on the floor in the shower area with the knife in his chest.
She rushed out and alerted the assistant housekeeping manager.
Dr Kato was pronounced dead at 9.28am.
The father of four left two letters on the table and more than a dozen envelopes with letters in his Prada black luggage bag. All his belongings were intact.
One of the letters was addressed to his 32-year-old girlfriend, also a permanent resident here, asking her to hand over documents and his personal items to his youngest son, Norishisa, 35, who also lives here.
The court heard that he had contemplated taking his own life last year after having lost money in stocks and shares, as well as the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
Most of the contents in the 15 letters contained instructions and directions to his family members and friends about the management of his estate.
The court found that Dr Kato had deliberately inflicted the fatal stab wound in his chest between March 8 and 9.
State Coroner Victor Yeo said the evidence showed that Dr Kato had lost a substantial portion of his wealth in the global economic crisis, and was worried that he would become penniless and be a burden to his family.
Dr Kato's son and girlfriend attended the inquiry.
In the Straits times printed edition today on page C2, last paragraph....
"Kato was worried that he would become penniless and be a burden to his family, added the coroner, who extended his deepest sympathy and condolences to Mr Norishisa Kato and Ms Maruyama, who were both in court yesterday."
Sep 3, 2009
Japanese stabbed self in hotel
By Elena Chong, Court Correspondent
A RETIRED Japanese doctor who was found with a stab wound in his chest in a luxury hotel lost a substantial sum of money in the financial crisis, a coroner's court heard on Thursday.
Dr Takamasa Kato, 64, a divorcee and owner of several hospitals in Japan, was found with a knife embedded in his chest in his room at Ritz Carlton Millenia at Raffles Avenue on March 9.
A chambermaid had used a key to open the room after getting no response from the guest. There was a 'do not disturb'' sign placed at the door.
After tidying up the bed, she went to the toilet, where she found Kato slumped on the floor in the shower area with the knife in his chest.
She rushed out and alerted the assistant housekeeping manager.
Dr Kato was pronounced dead at 9.28am.
The father of four left two letters on the table and more than a dozen envelopes with letters in his Prada black luggage bag. All his belongings were intact.
One of the letters was addressed to his 32-year-old girlfriend, also a permanent resident here, asking her to hand over documents and his personal items to his youngest son, Norishisa, 35, who also lives here.
The court heard that he had contemplated taking his own life last year after having lost money in stocks and shares, as well as the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
Most of the contents in the 15 letters contained instructions and directions to his family members and friends about the management of his estate.
The court found that Dr Kato had deliberately inflicted the fatal stab wound in his chest between March 8 and 9.
State Coroner Victor Yeo said the evidence showed that Dr Kato had lost a substantial portion of his wealth in the global economic crisis, and was worried that he would become penniless and be a burden to his family.
Dr Kato's son and girlfriend attended the inquiry.
In the Straits times printed edition today on page C2, last paragraph....
"Kato was worried that he would become penniless and be a burden to his family, added the coroner, who extended his deepest sympathy and condolences to Mr Norishisa Kato and Ms Maruyama, who were both in court yesterday."
