(UPDATED)
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| Notice of memorial mass for Merlyn (from Facebook) |
A mass was said on Sunday, Feb. 9, at St Joseph’s Church in Central for a former longtime volunteer who was found dead in her employer’s home in Repulse Bay six days earlier.
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Merlyn Anillo, 41 years old, was found lifeless
in her room by her employer who had just returned from a vacation. It’s believed the Filipina had been dead for about
four days before her body was discovered.
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| A neighbor posted this picture of Merlyn's body being taken away (from Facebook) |
According to staff at the Migrant Workers’ Office, cardiac arrest is believed to have caused her death, and no foul play had been detected. But the result of the autopsy could take time.
The MWO said it had been in touch with the deceased
Filipina’s employer and her family in Sta Lucia, Ilocos Sur. The family has reportedly
asked that the remains be brought home so she can be buried in her hometown.
According to a close friend, Lhen had complained of having a heart problem and of having undergone depression after a falling out with some fellow volunteers at St. Joseph's church.
She also reportedly told the friend on Thursday, or the day she is believed to have passed on, that she was having palpitations. But when told that she should go and see a doctor, she said she could not as her employer was not in town.
Her friend tried to call her the next day but Lhen no longer picked up.
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Police said that they received a report at about 1pm on Feb 3 that a "foreign woman" was found collapsed in a house on South Bay Road, Aberdeen. Police who arrived at the scene certified her dead at the scene.
The case has been classified as "dead body found."
Lhen was said to have worked in Hong Kong for 12 years, and was a longtime guitarist at St Joseph's choir.
However, she was forced to leave the church following a dispute with fellow members at the Apostleship of Prayer group in April last year. She then moved on to Mt Carmel Bethany Choir in Wanchai and was with them until her passing.
Her friend, Flor, said Lhen also stopped going out on her days off. After attending church she would reportedly just go back to her employer's house, and declined invitations to meet up elsewhere. She also often spoke of feeling depressed, and of having heart problems.
Flor said she had urged Lhen to seek counseling, but could not go with her as she had to move to Macau last August due to problems with her employment. They kept touch through phone calls, however, and it was Flor that Len had called the day before she passed.
Lhen's friends say her remains will be brought home by air direct from the mortuary on Feb. 15. No public viewing is expected.
