Coco Lee’s Chinese Physician Mum Used Acupuncture To Try Saving Her After She Was Pronounced Brain Dead Following Suicide Attempt

More details on the sudden death of Mandopop diva Coco Lee have emerged.

Coco’s older sister and ex-manager, Nancy, announced that the 48-year-old, who had been in a coma since July 2, passed away on July 5 in hospital after attempting suicide at home.

According to reports, the doctor found cuts on Coco’s forearm near the wrist.

Police also found a pair of blood-stained nail scissors next to the bathroom sink and 13 antidepressants among Coco’s belongings. There was no suicide note or medication.

Police are reportedly treating the case as an attempted suicide.

According to HK01, Coco's 86-year-old mum was the first to discover the suicide attempt on Jul 2.

At around 3.30pm, the singer rushed out of the bathroom with her left arm bleeding.

Coco's mum immediately called the police and the star was rushed to Queen Mary Hospital.

She wasn’t breathing and had no pulse when she arrived at the hospital, but recovered after emergency treatment.

Nancy shared that the doctor had told the family that Coco was already brain dead and to be prepared for the worst, but their mum refused to give up.

The most heartbreaking thing, she said, was watching her mum, who is a Chinese physician, standing at the hospital bed giving Coco acupuncture on the head, in a bid to save her life.

"I told the doctor that my mother lost her husband when she was 40, and my sister was born after my father died. My mother worked hard to raise us single-handedly. I asked the doctor to let my mum have a try and give my sister a chance at living... I am very grateful to the doctors and nurses for their efforts,” said Nancy.

She added that Coco’s passing was like breaking their hearts.

"I haven't slept in the past few days, and I can’t believe this has happened. Every time I went to the ward, I would watch the numbers showing my sister’s heart and respiratory rate [on the monitor]. Every second I would stare at it, and would tremble when I heard a 'beep', because the doctor said she could go any time, and told us to prepare for the worst."

According to Sing Tao Daily, Coco has been battling depression since 2019, around the time her marriage to Canadian billionaire Bruce Rockowitz was on the rocks.

In February this year, Coco underwent surgery to fix an old leg injury, and has since been taking muscle relaxers. Though she had to learn to walk again, she appeared optimistic and was making progress in her recovery. 

On Jun 30, Coco was hospitalised as she was feeling unwell and after she was discharged the next day, she went to live with her sisters and mum at her eldest sister Carol’s home at The Peak.

As she had suicidal tendencies, her family took turns to take care of her round the clock.

She had appeared fine until she attempted to take her own life on Jul 2.

If you or someone you know is having difficulties coping, here are some numbers to call:

Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

CHAT @ *SCAPE: (+65) 6493 6500, (+65) 6493 6501

SAF Counselling Hotline: 1800-278-0022

Photos: Coco Lee/Facebook