By Khushwant Singh
BUSINESSMAN Francis Wee Chin Wah was found naked - and dead - in
bed on Sept 15 last year in his River Valley Road shophouse.
State Coroner Victor Yeo on Monday returned a verdict of
misadventure on the death of the 43-year-old shop owner.
The coroner noted that there had been previous reports of men
consuming sex-enhancement drugs which were contaminated with
glibenclamide and suffered adverse consequences. Used in the
treatment of diabetes, glibenclamide is not known to increase
sexual performance, but can reduce blood glucose levels drastically
when used without medical supervision. This in turn can result in
fatal brain damage.
Testifying at the coroner inquiry on Monday, Staff Sergeant
Mohammad Zhafrie Jalil said paramedics found an unconscious man
under Mr Wee's bed. Mr Eric Sin Hoo Kat, 36, survived but could not
remember anything about that incident, he added.
Police found 10 different kinds of pills. These include Viagra,
Cialis, Power1 Walnut and other Chinese brands. Also found were a
packet of ketamine, an improvised pipe, used condom packets and
empty pill casings. In the living room, there was a board game
featuring sexual instructions. There was also a pair of
handcuffs.
Mr Sin, a salesman, had been in a relationship with Mr Wee for 2
1/2 years and was staying with him. He was then working in Mr Wee's
shop which sold art bags, ceramics and art vases.
