Police authorities yesterday arrested eight individuals suspected of demanding unpaid debt from gallery owner Chen Ling-hui (陳綾蕙), a factor they believe was instrumental in her decision to commit suicide last month.
The Taipei Police Department’s Neihu Precinct yesterday said the eight individuals, who are allegedly part of a criminal ring that specializes in collecting unpaid debt using threats or violence, admitted during questioning that they had gone to Chen’s house and threatened to hurt her if she did not pay the money she owed.
Initial investigations showed that to save her art gallery from its financial problems, Chen borrowed a substantial amount of money from a black-market lender who charged her exorbitant interest rates.
However, as the gallery’s financial condition did not improve, Chen was unable to pay her debt and repeatedly received threats from the gang, police said.
Last month, the 42-year-old gallery owner was found dead at her home in Taipei. Police reports showed that Chen died after burning charcoal in her bedroom.
Chen’s husband, artist Chang Chih-cheng (張志成), was investigated after evidence pointed to the possibility that he may have assisted his wife in committing suicide.
Prosecutors said they had evidence that Chang bought the coal his wife used to kill herself. Chang said his wife was originally going to buy the coal, but because she was not dressed appropriately, Chang went out and bought it for her.
However, additional evidence showed that Chang had suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning, which prosecutors said was a clue that Chang had originally planned a commit pact with his wife.
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