The Chiayi District Prosecutors' Office announced yesterday that Chen Jui-chin (陳瑞欽), who earlier had admitted to murdering four family members for their insurance benefits, has now admitted to murdering his second wife Wang Shu-ying (王淑嬰) as well.
Prosecutors said Chen made a statement describing how he beat Wang to death with a wooden rod and then faked a car accident in order to get NT$8 million from her insurance policy.
Prosecutors said the key to getting Chen's confession was testimony from a secret witness.
"It was all about money. Chen brutally murdered five people, even though they were his son, two stepsons and two wives, for insurance money," said Chiayi Prosecutor Wang Cheng-chuan (王成全).
Chen was arrested in Chiayi on May 22 in connection with the May 11 murder his friend Chen Yi-ling (
Chen reportedly confessed to prosecutors that he had killed the woman after an argument over his financial problems.
During their investigation into Chen Yi-ling's murder, Nantou prosecutors discovered that five members of the Chiayi resident's extended family had died in what appeared to be an unusual string of accidents over a 13-year period and that he had received an estimated NT$22 million from their life insurance policies.
Chiayi prosecutors then opened their own investigation into the five deaths.
Nantou prosecutors announced on May 29 that Chen Jui-chin had admitted on May 28 to murdering four of his relations.
They said that he insisted he had had nothing to do with Wang's death in 1996.
Prosecutors said Chen Jui-chin had purchased life insurance polices on all five relatives without their authorization and that he had been the sole beneficiary of all of the policies.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in