RESIDENTS in the relatively quiet Blk 154, bordering Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West, were surprised when they woke up to the sight of dozens of policemen yesterday.

The officers were combing the hillock and its surrounding area. A gruesome murder had taken place outside the Public Utilities Board substation nearby.

An 18-year-old Indian woman was discovered lying in a pool of blood between the hedges around the building. She had sustained injuries to her neck and upper body, and was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived at 7.25am.

Ms R. Shoba, 40, who lives on the sixth floor of Blk 154, could see the body clearly from her corridor. She told my paper: "Blood was spattered on the wall and her mouth was also bloody."

The teenager, whom my paper understood was named Jeevitha, was wearing a black sleeveless top, red shorts and thong slippers.

According to yesterday's edition of Shin Min Daily News, a small white handbag believed to be hers was also found at the scene with its contents intact.

Jeevitha's uncle, Mr Segar, who is an employee of Hindu Casket, told reporters that she was a school dropout who lived with her father on the second level of Blk 157, Ang Mo Kio Ave 4.

She was often seen loitering in void decks around the neighbourhood with her boyfriend, a few neighbours told my paper.

A father-and-son pair, in their late 40s and early 20s respectively, were jogging in the park when the police were making enquiries in the area.

One of them claimed to have information on the case, but refused to divulge further before the pair turned rowdy. They were arrested for disorderly behaviour.

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