Maksa bin Tohaiee was a Singaporean youth working as a cleaner in 1990. He was part of a cleaning team hired by the Di Girolamo family, who had just migrated to Singapore from Italy. Little is publicly documented about Maksa’s early life, education, or family background, but he was 18 years old at the time of the crime, suggesting he had likely just entered adulthood and the workforce.

He lived in Ang Mo Kio with his mother and siblings, and he had a girlfriend, Rosidah, who would later become a key witness in the murder case. Maksa was the youngest member of the hired team assigned to clean a newly acquired bungalow at Bo Seng Avenue, the residence of the Di Girolamo family. The family, including 38-year-old housewife Clementina Curci Di Girolamo, had just relocated to Singapore on 7 October 1990.

Though his co-workers appeared diligent and professional, Maksa developed ulterior motives. According to police reports, he had begun stealing small items from the house from his first day on the job.

On the morning of 10 October 1990, just three days after settling in Singapore, Clementina Curci Di Girolamo was alone at home after sending her children to school. Her husband, Franco Di Girolamo, returned for lunch and discovered the house in disarray. To his horror, he found his wife’s nude body submerged in a bathtub in their daughter’s bathroom.

The autopsy confirmed that Clementina died from a combination of strangulation and drowning. Forensic pathologist Dr. Clarence Tan determined she had been rendered unconscious by an arm lock, then drowned in the bathtub. There were no signs of sexual assault, but bruises on her neck and face supported the theory of a violent struggle.

Initial investigations focused on the cleaning crew, who had been working outside the house during the time of the murder. Three members, including supervisor Lim Kok Poo, were present that morning. The only one absent was 18-year-old Maksa bin Tohaiee, who claimed to be on sick leave. He was brought in for questioning but released after 48 hours due to lack of evidence.

One month later, police reopened their investigation when Maksa’s girlfriend Rosidah revealed that he had gifted her a stolen wallet and Brazilian currency taken from the Di Girolamo house. Under renewed questioning, Maksa confessed. He admitted sneaking into the house at 7:30 a.m. through a back window, intending to steal. When confronted by Clementina, he panicked, used an arm lock to subdue her, and ultimately drowned her to conceal the crime. He reenacted the murder for police and led them to several stolen items.

Maksa was arrested and charged with murder on 12 November 1990. His trial began on 29 October 1992. Though he recanted his confession and claimed he was coerced by police, the court admitted the confession as valid evidence. His defense tried to establish an alibi, presenting testimonies from family members who claimed he was sick and at home or at a clinic. However, their statements were inconsistent and conflicting.

The court found his alibi “unsatisfactory.” Judicial Commissioner Amarjeet Singh ruled that Maksa had murdered Clementina during the course of a burglary and sentenced him to death on 25 November 1992. He was 20 years old.

Maksa appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal upheld his conviction. His clemency plea to the President of Singapore was denied. On 26 November 1993, 21-year-old Maksa bin Tohaiee was hanged at Changi Prison.