A man was arrested in Yilan County early this morning for the murder of his 27-year-old ex-girlfriend last night in Taipei’s Xinyi District (信義), police said today.
Emergency responders received a report last night at 8:46pm that a woman had been dragged into the stairwell of a parking lot on Songshou Road and stabbed in the back of her neck and abdomen.
Paramedics provided aid to the victim, surnamed Ku (谷), and rushed her to a hospital, but she did not survive her injuries, police said.
Photo: Chiu Chun-fu, Taipei Times
The suspect had already fled the scene, they added.
Reviewing the surveillance footage, they identified Ku’s ex-boyfriend, Liu (劉), as a suspect, and arrested him in Yilan County early this morning at about 1am.
Sources have indicated that Ku and Liu were colleagues at a nightclub, although Liu recently quit.
The two allegedly had several long-standing relationship issues, sources added.
Last night, she rode her electric scooter into the parking lot, where Liu allegedly was waiting for her.
Upon her arrival, he allegedly attacked and killed her before fleeing in his own vehicle.
Speaking to the media, Ku’s sister said: “There is no death penalty for murder in Taiwan. This is just the beginning and it will get worse, just watch.”
There are many such cases, she added.
Ku’s sister said she had accompanied her to the police precinct to press charges against Liu for assault and apply for a restraining order in May.
Two days ago, Ku posted on the social media platform Threads about the case, sharing photographs of the May police report and injury report.
In her posts, Ku said that Liu committed acts of domestic violence, such as slapping and choking her, in addition to stalking her home and workplace.
She had just received confirmation that her restraining order against Liu was approved, she said in a post.
The Taipei Department of Social Welfare said it had assisted Ku in her application for the restraining order and discussed safety plans with her after the case was reported in May.
The department said it would provide legal advisory service and help with funeral arrangements for Ku’s family.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) today said he had instructed the police to investigate the case and provide an explanation to the public in due time.
Additional reporting by Lin Hui-chin and Fion Khan
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