56-year-old man found dead in Toa Payoh flat after not being seen for 2 days
A 56-year-old man was found dead at his home in Toa Payoh on Wednesday (11 Nov) after a foul smell was detected from the flat, prompting a neighbour to alert the police.
Photos posted on Facebook by a volunteer who visited the block on the same day showed several police officers at the scene.
Source: Tony Heng on Facebook
Toa Payoh resident passes away alone
Mr Tony Heng was delivering food to a senior under the Meals On Wheels programme, an initiative by Touch Community Services, he said.
Unexpectedly, he found that a resident just two doors away from the senior he was delivering food to had passed away alone.
The deceased’s flat door was broken into and police officers were all over the place, he noted, adding:
No one had noticed… No family… No neighbour… Just a foul stench that cannot be forgotten…
His photo showed officers inspecting the front of the unit, which had an e-bike outside its entrance.
Source: Tony Heng on Facebook
Deceased had lived alone, with no visitors
Shin Min Daily News reporters who visited the rental flat in Block 52 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh detected a strong, pungent odour coming from within.
While the wooden door was slightly open, the gate was closed off by a chain.
An 82-year-old neighbour, named only as Mr Luo (transliterated from Mandarin), said the deceased was a long-time resident his 50s and used to live there with his mother and brother.
However, after their mother passed away, his brother moved out and the man had lived alone since.
Mr Luo, a retiree who has lived in the block for about 20 years himself, said he never saw the man’s brother or any friends visit him — only people who came to collect rent.
As for his neighbours, he was only on nodding terms with them.
Source: Google Maps
Deceased not seen for 2 days, foul smell detected from flat
Mr Luo told the Chinese daily that the deceased worked odd jobs and would head to work on his e-bike in the day, then watch TV or listen to the radio at night.
However, the neighbour did not see him leave home for the past two days.
He also noticed that all his lights were off and a foul odour was coming from the flat.
Thus, he asked a passing young person to help him call the police.
No foul play suspected after man found dead
In response to queries from MS News, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said it received a call for assistance at 9.50am on 11 Nov.
A 56-year-old man was found lying motionless at a residential unit in Block 52 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No foul play is suspected, based on investigations.
Residents urged to check on elderly neighbours living alone
In his post, Mr Heng noted that many seniors in rental flats live alone and the only person they may speak to all day is the delivery volunteer.
Thus, he felt that more and more of them are dying alone.
He urged netizens to greet their elderly neighbours living alone daily.
He added that if they notice their door closed or meals are left untouched, they should check on them.
Source: Tony Heng on Facebook
They may also consider volunteering at Meals On Wheels for two hours a week on Wednesday mornings, he suggested, adding:
You might be the reason someone is not alone.
Also read: 2 elderly men found dead at Chinatown & Toa Payoh flats, both lived alone
2 elderly men found dead at Chinatown & Toa Payoh flats, both lived alone
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Featured image adapted from Tony Heng on Facebook.
