Unanswered Questions Examines 44-Month-Old Child's Death Initially Closed as Self-Harm, 6 Years Later

SBS's "Unanswered Questions" tracks the truth hidden behind the sudden death of a 44-month-old child.

Airing on August 29, the upcoming episode of "Unanswered Questions" titled "The Possessed Sisters and the Eldest Daughter's Confession: The Secret Behind the Death of the 44-Month-Old Stepdaughter" will delve into the reality of this mysterious case.

In June 2019, SuA (a pseudonym), a 3-year-old—or 44-month-old—child, was rushed to the emergency room of a hospital in Seoul, where she ultimately passed away. While her cause of death was presumed to be head trauma, dozens of bruises and wounds seemingly caused by external force were found all over her body, raising suspicions of abuse.

However, after concluding its investigation, the police closed the case without formal charges, citing a lack of definitive evidence pointing to assault by another person and indications of self-harm. The family claimed that SuA had been diagnosed with an intellectual disability, exhibited aggressive tendencies, and repeatedly engaged in self-harm such as banging her head.

According to the reports, SuA had been diagnosed with a grade 3 intellectual disability and was living at her great-aunt's house because she displayed aggressive behavior toward her father and older sister, as if possessed by a ghost. While her stepmother, surnamed Park (pseudonym), visited to care for her, the family explained that SuA repeatedly harmed herself.

Six years after SuA's passing, the case entered a new phase when her older sister, Subin (pseudonym)—who was 5 years old at the time—came forward with a shocking account. Subin recalled that their stepmother had whispered in her and her younger sister's ears, instructing them to engage in bizarre behaviors. Meanwhile, the stepmother's side has strongly refuted the abuse allegations, claiming they are baseless and merely lies fabricated by Subin.

"Unanswered Questions," which will track whether this confession surfacing after six years is a distorted memory or a hidden secret, will air at 11:10 p.m. on Saturday, August 29.

(Photo: SBS Entertainment News | Reported by Kang Sun-ae)

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