Parents in tears as they hear recording of dead daughter's heartbeat

Parents of 18-year-old Polytechnic student Carmen Mark, who died in Singapore from an arterial rupture in her brain two years ago, got to hear her heartbeat again on Sep 15.

It was an emotional moment for Mark Kok Wah, 46, and his wife Ariess Tan, 43, who had received an electronic recording of their daughter's heart that was beating in the chest of 37-year-old Singaporean Serene Lee.

According to The Straits Times, Carmen's organs were donated after she died. Her heart went to Serene who had suffered a heart failure. Serene received Carmen's heart on Jul 28, 2015, following the latter's sudden death. 

On Aug 4 this year, Serene contacted Carmen's father after learning through social media that he wanted to hear his daughter's heartbeat again.

She asked if she could visit him and Ariess in Malaysia where they were staying.

Both parties then agreed to a get-together, and later met in an emotional reunion in George Town, Penang.

With the help of medical devices company Cobs, a recording of Serene's heartbeat was made with the use of an electronic stethoscope. 

The recorded file would be a good keepsake for Carmen's parents, said a Cobs representative.

Ariess broke down in tears after listening to the recording. 

"Even though my time with her was not long, only about six years, she was one of the kindest and most friendly people I know," she said.

Ariess married Kok Wah about six years ago. Carmen's biological mother had left the family when Carmen was about three years old.

Kok Wah revealed that he was anxious before the meeting with Serene.

He told The Straits Times:

"I'm a little kanchiong (worried). But I've always believed that Carmen is still alive, although in other people's bodies. I am sad, but I am looking forward to seeing Serene, and being able to hear Carmen's heartbeat again. That has been something I was hoping for the past two years."

When Ariess saw Carmen in person for the first time on Friday afternoon, she hugged her and the both of them started tearing.

"I truly felt that Carmen had come home," she said following the emotional reunion.