Unnatural Death in HDB Flat
An 80-year-old woman in Singapore kept the body of her 54-year-old son in their HDB flat for more than a week after his passing, reportedly unable to part with her beloved child.
Discovery and Initial Concerns
The incident unfolded at Block 85 Commonwealth Close in a fifth-floor unit. Shin Min Daily News reported that neighbours began to notice a foul odour from the flat. One resident, who had lived in the block for over ten years, recalled that the mother and son had resided there for a longer period. She described the man as frail and noted his daily routine of hanging laundry and watering plants, which ceased about a week before the discovery.
Police Involvement and Investigation
Police received a report of an unnatural death at 12:38pm. Upon arrival, officers waited outside the flat for an hour as there was no response. A locksmith was called to unlock the door, and the man’s body was found decomposing, face down in the living room. The police ruled out foul play during preliminary investigations but are continuing to examine the case. The body was removed around 6:45pm.
Neighbourhood Reactions
Neighbours shared that they initially dismissed the odour but grew concerned as it intensified. One neighbour described hearing the elderly woman’s cries as the police took the body away. “It’s heartbreaking,” she said, referencing the sorrow of an elderly parent mourning a younger child.
Aftermath and Clean-Up
After the body’s removal, the elderly woman, dressed in pyjamas, began cleaning the living room with a broom. A middle-aged woman assisted her, while four other individuals waited nearby but declined to speak to the media. According to residents, the mother and son were reclusive, rarely interacting with neighbours.
This tragic event has highlighted the complexities of grief and the challenges of living in isolation.
