Family of four die in 'murder-suicide'

A bus driver, his wife and their two young daughters were found dead in their Tuen Mun flat yesterday in what appears to have been a murder-suicide.

Police and firemen forced their way into the flat and found the bodies of the four, along with their dog, on a bed in the master bedroom next to a pot of burned charcoal and an empty bottle of sleeping pills.

Chief Inspector Tong Chi-cheung said the four had been dead for about 24 hours.

Police suspect that Chan Yuen-kuen, 42, cooked a last lunch mixed with sleeping pills for his wife, Tang Yuen-ling, 40, and daughters, Wing-yee, nine, and Wing-shan, eight, on Friday before sealing the windows and burning charcoal.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Chan had run up heavy gambling debts and had resigned from Kowloon Motor Bus two months ago after 12 years of service. He had obtained $100,000 from KMB for long service and police believe he used some of the money to pay his debts.

Chief Inspector Tong said there was no note at the scene and the case had been handed to the district crime squad.

The tragedy was discovered when the mother of the dead woman went to the flat in Siu Hin Court early yesterday. She became alarmed when no one answered the door.

She said Chan had complained of money problems when she dined with the family on Thursday. However, she said there was no hint from him or her daughter of any suicide pact.

Chow Kam-cheung, the principal of Wu Si Memorial School, said the two girls had not shown up for classes since Wednesday. He said pupils would receive counselling.

A Social Welfare Department spokesman urged anyone with problems to come forward. 'We are ready to help.'