TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A case involving allegations of corruption took a devastating turn Tuesday (July 1) when Hsieh Hsia-chiao (謝夏蕎), the wife of former Taipei Deputy Mayor Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲), died by suicide. The tragedy triggered an emotional collapse from Pong, who broke down outside the Taipei District Court where he had arrived for a preparatory hearing examining investigative recordings between himself and former Dingyue Development Corporation (鼎越開發) Chairman Chu Ya-hu (朱亞虎).
Emergency responders from police and fire departments verified that Hsieh fell from an elevated position at approximately 9 a.m. for reasons that remain unclear, with medical personnel declaring her deceased at the location. Pong learned of his wife's death moments before the scheduled court proceeding, which had been arranged to review interrogation recordings in his case. The devastating news triggered a public emotional breakdown during which he vehemently asserted his innocence while challenging both the prosecutorial methods and his prospects for justice within Taiwan's legal system.
The case has drawn significant attention from prominent figures, including former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) and Core Pacific Group (威京集團) chairman Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京), who have both publicly criticized prosecutors' interrogation methods. These critics have alleged that both Pong and Chu potentially faced coercive tactics designed to extract confessions during their questioning sessions. Their concerns specifically highlighted what they described as prosecutorial impropriety, particularly pointing to instances of potentially deceptive or leading questions during the investigation process. ◼
>>> If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 1995 to reach the Suicide Prevention Line. You can also call the Peace of Mind Line, under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW ), at 1925, or the Teacher Chang Foundation at 1980 for additional resources.