Parents of US scientist found hanged, in Singapore for coroner's inquest

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The parents of an American scientist found hanged last year in Singapore arrived in the city-state Monday ahead of a coroner's inquiry into his death at which they will testify.

Rick and Mary Todd have said they believe their son Shane was murdered because of his work for a Singapore institute with alleged links to a Chinese firm seen by the US as a security threat.

Mary Todd, 57, a church pastor, said they arrived a week before the start of the coroner's inquiry on May 13 to meet their lawyers, who have offered their services for free.

"We believe our son was murdered," she said, speaking to AFP on arrival at Changi Airport.

"Rick and I will be testifying. We're not sure about the rest at this point in time, but I know that my husband and myself will be (testifying)."

Lead lawyer Gloria James-Civetta, who met the Todds at the airport, said 63 witnesses are on the list although not all may be called to testify during the inquiry to determine the cause of death.

Their three sons, one daughter-in-law, Mary's brother and Rick's sister will be flying down later this week to attend the inquest, Mary Todd said.

Shane Todd, an electronics engineer, was ending a stint as a researcher for the state-linked Institute of Microelectronics (IME) in Singapore and was preparing to return to the US when he was found dead in his apartment in June last year. He was 31.