Took Leng How was born in Malaysia in 1982. He was one of several Malaysian nationals who moved to Singapore for employment and better opportunities. A vegetable packer by trade, Took worked at the Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre in Singapore, which would eventually become the location linked to the high-profile case that led to his arrest and execution. He had a young wife and a child and was seen by co-workers as quiet, somewhat reserved, and emotionally immature.

Despite his unassuming presence, those around Took noted peculiarities in his behavior. He was sometimes seen smiling to himself without context and was described by both his lawyers and medical professionals as socially awkward and possibly struggling with mental health issues. His education level was low, and during trial proceedings, his IQ was measured at 76—indicative of borderline intellectual functioning. These factors later became the core of his defense strategy.

By the time of the murder, Took had spent years working in Singapore. He reportedly developed a friendly relationship with eight-year-old Huang Na, the daughter of a Chinese migrant working at the same location. The young girl was often seen around the wholesale centre where her mother worked, and Took was one of several adults she was familiar with.

On October 10, 2004, Huang Na disappeared, triggering a city-wide search that gripped Singapore. Posters of the missing girl were posted across neighborhoods, and volunteers helped comb through areas in hopes of finding her. Unbeknownst to the public, Took had already fled to Malaysia by October 20, shortly after the girl went missing.

Suspicion began to fall on him due to inconsistencies in his statements and his sudden disappearance. On October 30, he returned to Singapore and surrendered to the police, shortly before Huang Na’s body was discovered in a sealed cardboard box wrapped in multiple layers of plastic bags, left in Telok Blangah Hill Park. He was immediately arrested and later charged with murder.

On October 10, 2004, Huang Na disappeared from Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre near where her mother worked. Despite intense searches, including leaflet distribution and public outreach, no trace of her was found. Police questioned Took on October 19–20, 2004. Under pressure, Took claimed she had been kidnapped by "three Chinese men". During a polygraph session on October 21, he escaped while in custody* and fled to Penang, Malaysia.

Took returned voluntarily on October 30, 2004, confessing that he had accidentally strangled Huang Na during a hide-and-seek game in a storeroom. Investigators found Huang Na’s body the very next day in Telok Blangah Hill Park—wrapped in nine layers of plastic inside a sealed box.

A 14-day trial at the High Court began on July 11, 2005. The prosecution produced 76 witnesses, demonstration re-enactments, and forensic evidence of bruising and asphyxia. The defence argued schizophrenia and diminished responsibility; psychiatry testified that Took was “inappropriate” and delusional, but prosecution experts rejected mental impairment. On August 27, 2005, Justice Lai Kew Chai found Took guilty of murder and sentenced him to death. In his judgment, Justice Lai dismissed the mental illness defence and concluded that the murder was premeditated, methodical, and “clearly the product of a cold and calculating mind.” 

Took appeals to the Court of Appeal; in January 2006, the panel upheld the conviction and death sentence in a 2–1 split decision, with the dissenting judge favoring reduced charges due to inconclusive evidence. His final appeal for clemency to President S.R. Nathan was rejected in October 2006. At dawn on November 3, 2006, Took Leng How was executed by hanging at Changi Prison.