An elderly man was found dead in his Bukit Batok flat after concerned neighbours noticed a strong odour and a growing pile of newspapers left untouched outside his unit for nearly two weeks.
The discovery was made on the morning of Jul. 5 at Block 14 Bukit Batok Street 21. Residents in the area became worried after observing that newspapers dating back to Jun. 21 had accumulated outside the flat without being collected, Shin Min Daily News reported.
According to neighbours, the man had been living alone in the unit for around 30 years and was known to keep mostly to himself. While he occasionally exchanged greetings with residents, he was generally quiet and had little interaction with those living nearby.
Residents first became concerned after noticing an unusual smell coming from the unit two days before contacting the authorities. Some neighbours agreed to monitor the situation for another day before deciding to seek help.
The following morning, the odour reportedly became much stronger. At the same time, residents noticed more than 10 newspapers stacked outside the flat, raising fears that something was seriously wrong.
One neighbour said that while it is not unusual for newspapers to remain outside a unit if someone is travelling, the large number of uncollected papers and the worsening smell prompted them to call the police.
Police And Crime Scene Investigators Arrive
Police officers and crime scene investigators were later seen at the block as they carried out investigations. An incense stick was reportedly placed outside the unit following the discovery.
At around 2pm, a black vehicle arrived at the scene and the deceased man’s body was subsequently removed from the flat.
The circumstances surrounding the death have not been publicly disclosed, and there were no immediate indications of foul play.
Neighbours Recall A Quiet Resident
Residents described the deceased as a reserved individual who had lived in the neighbourhood for decades. One neighbour shared that a woman believed to be his sister would occasionally visit the flat to clean and check on him.
However, the neighbour noted that it had been some time since they last saw her.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns about social isolation among elderly residents who live alone, especially in ageing housing estates where neighbours may only realise something is wrong after days or even weeks have passed.
As Singapore’s population continues to age, community groups and grassroots organisations have repeatedly encouraged residents to look out for elderly neighbours who may not have regular family support or social contact.
Photos from Shin Min Daily News/Google Maps