Farewell note found on top of fridge at boy’s home

On top of the refrigerator, tucked between bottles and other things, was a handwritten note by an 11-year-old boy saying he was going away.

Vernon Beh Wei Zhen, the 11-year-old “home alone” boy who fell to his death from the 14th floor of a flat, had written the note in English.

He even thanked his family and friends for being nice to him.

Police found the note after searching the Desa Mawar flat unit where Vernon was staying with his grandfather.

George Town OCPP Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng urged the public and the media not to speculate about the boy's death.

“It is already sad that he died in such a manner at the age of 11 so please respect his death,” he said after a “Meet the People” programme at Bukit Jambul Complex.

He added that although the case was being investigated under sudden death, the police would still continue probing from all angles.

He also advised the public to obtain counselling if they were in need of help, such as by contacting the Befrienders.

At the Leong San Thong Khoo Kongsi funeral parlour in Bandar Baru Air Itam, Vernon's distraught mother Jess Lai, 31, cried out for him just before the cortege left the funeral parlour for the Bukit Mertajam crematorium at 11.30am.

Lai later said her son had always written her letters to express his love and feelings.

“It wasn't a suicide note. It was just one of his letters to me saying that he was going away'. He was always very dramatic,” she said about the note that was found.

Vernon's uncle Lai Wei Keong, 30, said the boy had previously mentioned that he wanted to be cremated in Berapit, Bukit Mertajam, Lai's hometown.

Wei Keong said Vernon had repeatedly told him, neighbours and friends that he wanted to be cremated when he died.

“I think watching too many TV series had influenced his thinking and imagination.

“He was a very sentimental and imaginative boy. He could have envisioned his death,” said Wei Keong.

Vernon's father, who separated from Lai when the boy was two months old, turned up at the funeral on Monday night.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng also paid his last respects and gave a personal contribution to the family.