Man Gets 8 Years' Jail for Strangling Depressed Brother Amid Caregiver Stress

A 59-year-old Singaporean man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for strangling his younger brother, who suffered from depression and chronic illnesses. The court downgraded the charge from murder to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, acknowledging the accused's diminished responsibility due to an abnormality of mind.

Abdul Rani Md Ariffin, the accused, was found to be suffering from an adjustment disorder and significant caregiver stress at the time of the offense. These conditions impaired his ability to understand the wrongfulness of his actions and to control his behavior. He had been the primary caregiver for his 56-year-old brother, Abdul Rahman Mohamed Ariffin, since their mother's death in 2010.

The victim had been diagnosed with depression in 2008 and battled chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease. In the months leading up to the incident in March 2025, the victim's behavior, described as incessantly rearranging and cleaning items, increasingly frustrated Abdul Rani. The situation escalated when the victim responded dismissively to Abdul Rani's concerns.

During the altercation, Abdul Rani became angry and felt compelled to strangle his brother, believing that death might end his brother's worries. The court heard that Abdul Rani himself had a history of schizophrenia, though it was managed with medication and he had not relapsed at the time of the offense. Both brothers were unemployed.