In a quiet corner of Block 25, Hougang Avenue 3, tragedy struck on Dec. 14, when the lifeless body of an 81-year-old man was discovered.
This heart-wrenching incident takes an even more sorrowful turn as the man’s son, grappling with special needs, was suspected to have shared the flat with his deceased father for at least five days, according to Lianhe Zaobao.
A Silent Cry for Help
The son, whose exact age is estimated to be in his 30s or 40s, found himself in a challenging situation due to his low IQ, relying heavily on his father for support. Disturbingly, it was revealed that he had sought help from neighbors, leaving them puzzled and concerned.
Ai Su, a 25-year-old neighbor, shared her encounter with the son, describing how he knocked on her door on Dec. 13, only to leave without uttering a word. The peculiar incident, initially dismissed, took a haunting turn as neighbors reflected on the potential plea for assistance.
The Unseen Struggles of Father and Son
Zheng Qingliang, a 71-year-old acquaintance of the deceased, disclosed that the elderly man was burdened by worry about his son’s well-being. Deeply concerned about his son’s future, the late father had expressed fears that his departure would leave his son in misery.
Zheng also shed light on the absence of other family members, revealing that the deceased’s wife had been absent for decades. The son’s routine, attending a special needs school in Ang Mo Kio, and returning home alone, added layers to the poignant narrative.
Unraveling the Tragic Discovery
Zhang, a 35-year-old neighbor, painted a bleak picture, mentioning that both the father and son were grappling with diabetes. She had not seen the elderly man for several days, and a noxious smell in the vicinity hinted at the unfolding tragedy.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force responded to a distress call on Dec. 14 at around 11:20 am, confirming the grim discovery. A SCDF paramedic pronounced the elderly man dead at the scene. Investigations are ongoing, and as of now, the police do not suspect foul play.