The father of an assistant university professor whose body was found on a beach told an inquest she did not seem unhappy or worried about her job the last time he saw her alive.
Cua Tiong Kun told the hearing his daughter, Dr Christy Ong Cua, 28, left her home at 10.30pm on September 19, 2000, saying she was going to do some late-night work in her office.
Mr Cua and his wife were visiting from the Philippines and staying with Cua at her residence in the University of Science and Technology staff quarters. She had started work at the university on August 13.
Mr Cua said he had tried to phone her office the next day but could not reach her. He and his wife, Cua Siok Hian, then went to her office and knocked on the door but there was no answer.
They met Cua's senior professor, Ng Shu-ming, in the corridor and he obtained a key to open the door.
Finding Cua was not there, Mr Cua said he and his wife went back to their daughter's home, where they called security officers and police a few hours later.
