In 1998, a case in Singapore revealed how a calculated plan for theft quickly escalated into a deadly act.
Jonaris Badlishah, a 23-year-old Malaysian national, targeted 42-year-old beautician Sally Poh Bee Eng after noticing she was wearing a valuable Rolex watch.
On April 19, 1998, he contacted her under a false identity, offering payment for a makeup job tied to a supposed photoshoot the following morning.
Sally, a married mother of two, agreed and arrived at a designated meeting point early on April 20.
Investigators later determined that Jonaris attacked her shortly after meeting, striking her multiple times before taking her watch.
Later that same day, he gave the stolen watch to his girlfriend as a birthday gift.
Sally’s family reported her missing, and crucial details, including the name used during the phone call, helped police identify a suspect. The nickname linked back to Jonaris, leading to his arrest within days. The watch was recovered soon after.
During trial proceedings, Jonaris claimed he was not in a stable state of mind at the time. However, psychiatric evaluations found no evidence supporting that claim.
On October 28, 1998, he was sentenced to d*ath.
In 1999, the sentence was carried out.
The case remains a stark example of how premeditated deception and opportunity can quickly turn into irreversible consequences.
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