Singapore businesswoman Jane Lee dies mysteriously a day after accusing Indian-origin worker, her husband of fraud

Jane Lee, a well-known Singaporean businesswoman and the owner of salad outlet Sumo Salad (recently rebranded as Sumo Well), died unexpectedly on July 19—just one day after posting a pair of detailed Facebook updates in which she accused a former employee of fabricating a workplace injury.

Her death, currently classified as “unnatural,” has prompted a police investigation and sparked widespread concern within Singapore’s food and beverage community.

In her now widely circulated posts, Lee alleged that the employee, an Indian national named Sran Kiranjeet Kaur, deliberately faked a fall just two days before the end of her contract in an attempt to file a fraudulent work injury claim.


https://www.facebook.com/SumoSaladHV/posts/10162002636898720?ref=embed_post

According to Lee, the employee had been scheduled to finish work early that day but stayed beyond her shift, later reporting an injury from an alleged fall on an escalator while disposing of rubbish.

Lee was convinced the incident was premeditated. She described the alleged accident as part of “a carefully orchestrated scheme,” one that may have involved the employee’s husband and, potentially, legal counsel guiding them on how to manipulate Singapore’s Work Injury Compensation (WIC) system.

Lee also claimed to possess video evidence contradicting the injury, alleging the woman moved around normally but exaggerated her condition in front of doctors.

Mounting pressure & a cry for help

In her final posts, Jane Lee expressed immense frustration, sorrow, and a growing sense of helplessness. She wrote that due to a gap in her business’s insurance coverage, she felt exposed and vulnerable to fraudulent claims.

“I feel extremely unfortunate to have encountered this situation,” she wrote. “I’m deeply saddened—for myself, my husband, and our loyal team—that we are being targeted in this way.”

She feared her case might not be isolated, warning authorities that similar schemes could be affecting other small businesses.

“I may not be the last. If this goes unchecked, others could suffer the same fate,” she cautioned in a follow-up message urging the Ministry of Manpower and police to intervene.

In an emotional sign-off, Lee apologised to her loved ones and transferred money to her staff before signing off. “To my beloved family and children, I'm truly sorry that I couldn’t find the strength to face this battle on my own,” she wrote.

The next day, Lee was found dead. A person identifying themselves as her friend later claimed on Threads that she died by suicide. The Singapore Police Force has confirmed an investigation is ongoing.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) also released a statement saying they had been in contact with Lee before her passing and are now working with the employee’s insurer to assess the legitimacy of the claim. MOM added that anyone found misusing the compensation system will be held accountable.

A life remembered

The news of Jane Lee’s death has sent ripples through Singapore’s small business and F&B circles, many of whom gathered at her wake held at St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah.

Those who knew her described her as warm, generous, and committed to her work. A friend from church recalled her as “kind-hearted and always eager to help,” while former colleagues described her as “a sunshine girl” who never stopped caring for others—even in distress.

One mourner captured the sentiment shared by many, saying, “She carried everyone’s burdens, always putting others first. It’s heartbreaking that she didn’t feel she could carry her own.”

Sumo Salad, which runs outlets at Holland Village and Marina One, remained open for business following her passing. The outlet at Holland Village continued operations as usual on the Monday after Lee's death, according to a report by Channel News Asia.

As investigations continue into both the nature of Jane Lee’s death and the alleged injury claim, her passing has prompted deeper reflection on the unseen emotional toll carried by small business owners.

Many in the community are now calling for stronger safeguards and more responsive support for entrepreneurs caught in legal and financial limbo.