A couple from Hsinchu City in Taiwan who were in dire financial straits decided to take their own lives with sleeping pills after they were unable to find a way out.
The pair was staying at a friend’s hotel in Taoyuan and had no fixed place to stay after they were saddled with debts of nearly a million dollars.
Unaware of their parents’ actions, their two children, aged 7 and 8, stayed with their bodies.
On the day of the incident (10 July), the couple reportedly took sleeping pills and drank Coke to execute their planned suicide.
They kept saying “sorry” to their children before collapsing into deep sleep.
The two children thought their parents were asleep, so they sat quietly by their side without making any noise.
It was not until 11.44am the next day that the hotel owner noticed that neither of them had shown up for work.
He entered the room to check on them, only to discover that their limbs were stiff, and they had no pulse. They weren’t breathing either.
Police did not suspect foul play. However, they were unable to find a suicide note.
Source: Sin Chew Daily
Investigations are ongoing.
According to United News Network, the couple, aged 46 and 42 from Hsinchu City, owed a lot of money and had no fixed place to live.
They were previously wealthy, but due to poor wealth management, owed nearly a million dollars to various parties.
Furthermore, the man surnamed Zhou was facing an ongoing lawsuit and faced the possibility of being jailed.
In May this year, they took their two children to work at a friend’s hotel in Taoyuan in exchange for accommodation.
The couple had previously left their children alone a few days ago as a result of their debts, but returned some days before the incident after friends persuaded them to return.
However, their friends’ efforts were in vain.
The children have been brought back to their relatives, and are staying with their grandmother, Sin Chew Daily reported.
Counselling has also been arranged for the siblings.
If you or anyone you know is in need of support, these are some hotlines to call:
There is also a list of international helplines here.
However, call 24-hour emergency medical services if someone you know is at immediate risk.
Also read: Mum & 2-year-old daughter die after fall from 12th-floor apartment in Taiwan
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Featured image adapted from United News Network.
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The victim is in critical condition.