A 56-year-old hospital employee was found dead inside his Sembawang flat after he failed to report to work for two consecutive days, prompting a concerned colleague to visit his home.
The discovery has saddened neighbours who described him as a quiet, friendly and hardworking individual who had lived alone for many years.
Colleague Raised Alarm After He Failed To Turn Up For Work
The incident came to light on Monday (15 June) when a colleague became concerned after the man did not show up for work for two straight days.
According to reports, the colleague visited his residence at Block 334 Sembawang Close to check on his wellbeing before contacting the police.
Officers subsequently entered the unit and found the man lying motionless in the master bedroom. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Singapore Police Force said it received a call for assistance at about 5.50pm on 15 June.
Preliminary investigations found no signs of foul play, although investigations are still ongoing.
Man Had Lived Alone For More Than 20 Years
Neighbours revealed that the deceased had been living in the unit for over two decades.
After both of his parents passed away, he continued living alone and maintained a relatively private lifestyle.
Residents said he rarely entertained visitors and mostly kept to himself, though he remained approachable and polite whenever he encountered neighbours.
One resident, a taxi driver living on the same floor, said he had not seen the man for several days prior to the discovery.
Another neighbour shared that she only knew he worked in hospital administration and had last seen him the previous Thursday.
She also noticed that the living room lights had remained switched on for several days.
Remembered As A Friendly And Hardworking Neighbour
Neighbours described him as someone dedicated to his job and believed he rarely took time off from work.
This was why his absence immediately raised concerns among colleagues.
According to residents, he was known for smiling and greeting neighbours whenever they crossed paths, whether in the lift, downstairs or while doing household chores.
His sudden passing has left many in the neighbourhood saddened.
Some neighbours also expressed hopes of paying their final respects, saying they had shared the same community for many years.
A Reminder To Check In On Family, Friends And Neighbours
This incident has also highlighted the importance of regularly checking in on people who live alone, especially older adults who may not have frequent social interactions.
Simple gestures such as sending a message, making a phone call or dropping by for a quick visit could make a significant difference.
In this case, the concern shown by a colleague ensured that the man was discovered quickly after he went missing from work.
Authorities have not released further details regarding the cause of death, and investigations remain ongoing.