Singaporean woman killed in Spain: Judge asks for banking, insurance information from Singapore authorities

A judge in Spain has requested banking and insurance information from Singapore authorities as investigators look into a possible “economic motive” for the killing of Singaporean Audrey Fang.

Suspect Mitchell Ong, 43, was arrested on Apr 16 on suspicion of killing Ms Fang while she was on holiday in Spain. Her body was found on Apr 10 with 30 stab wounds about 150km from the hotel where she was staying.

According to a report by Spanish news outlet La Verdad on Monday (May 13), the judge has asked Singapore authorities to provide banking information – including funds movements and accounts opened – of both the suspect and victim.

The court heard that this information was "especially relevant", given that a Central Provident Fund (CPF) nomination note dated Mar 24 was found by investigators on Ms Fang’s iPad.

The note stated that Ms Fang had decided to nominate an unknown person for her CPF money because the person was her "long-time friend and trusted confidant". It also mentioned a loan of US$50,000 (S$68,000) that was provided to Ms Fang due to their past friendship.

CPF is a mandatory social security savings scheme that is funded by contributions from employers and employees. In the event of the person's death, these savings are given to the person's nominee or nominees.

The judge also requested information about Ms Fang’s life insurance policies – including funds, assets and beneficiaries – from Singapore authorities.

She asked if Ong had any previous criminal record in Singapore.

Authorities have been ordered to keep the Consulate in Spain informed of the court’s request so that they may obtain the information “by the most immediate means”.

CNA has contacted the CPF Board, the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Monetary Authority of Singapore about the requests by Spanish authorities.

The CPF Board told CNA last week that it would conduct an investigation if it is informed of any facts or circumstances that may affect the validity of a nomination.

It will look at the evidence and supporting documents to ascertain this validity.

“For CPF nominations that are contested posthumously, CPF Board will withhold the distribution of the deceased member’s CPF savings till investigations are completed,” it said. 

“If the nomination is found to be invalid, CPF savings will generally be distributed based on an earlier nomination if any, or according to intestacy laws.”

Singapore police told CNA last week that they were working with its Spanish counterparts.

“As the incident had happened in Spain, the Singapore Police Force has and will continue to render the necessary assistance to the Spanish authorities within the ambit of our laws.”

Last month, her family found two investment-linked insurance policies that she had bought from Ong in 2015.

They are checking with Singapore authorities if he might have been added as a beneficiary.

ONG REFUSES TO GIVE STATEMENT

Charges against Ong may be months away, with a police report yet to be completed, said sources close to the investigation.

Ong remains in pre-trial detention in Sangonera prison in Murcia. Under Spanish law, a person can be on pre-trial detention for up to two years. This can be extended by another two years for serious offences.

Ong, who is also Singaporean, has not been charged by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, despite appearing in court three days after he was arrested.

During the court hearing, Manuel Martinez, the lawyer representing Ms Fang’s family had pressed for a murder charge, but the defence said it was too early for such a classification, given that the police report was not yet ready.

He was remanded in custody because he was deemed to be a flight risk, given that he is a tourist and has no friends or family in Alicante – where he was arrested – nor in Abanilla, where Ms Fang’s body was found.

Sources close to the investigation said the public prosecutor’s office is still reviewing police evidence and investigations. The police report is expected to take months to complete.

Investigators said the motive remains unclear and many questions remain unanswered because Ong has not given a statement to the authorities, holding up proceedings.

There are no plans at the moment for him to give such a statement, his lawyer said. A suspect has the right not to do so, under Spanish law.

Additional reporting by Ana Lucas and Ang Hwee Min.