Man, 62, found dead in Tampines flat after son didn't get 'Good morning stickers' for 3 days
The habit of sending messages alerted the recipient that something was amiss when the texts suddenly stopped.
A 62-year-old man in Singapore suddenly stopped sending "Good morning stickers" over text messages to his family members on Nov. 21.
The practice of sending such texts designed with illustrations on message applications, as innocuous as the regular habit appeared, was to let the man's next-of-kin know that he was well, reported Shin Min Daily News.
When the texts finally failed to arrive in the intended recipient's chat one day, concern grew for the man's safety.
One of his sons decided to visit his father's flat at Block 499C Tampines Avenue 9 on Nov. 24 afternoon.
However, before the son could check on his father, the police informed him that the man in the unit had passed away.
Man pronounced dead at scene: SCDF
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed with Mothership that they received a call for assistance regarding the incident at around 12:40pm on Nov. 24.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic.
Mothership understands that the cause of the man's passing was natural death.
Deceased lived alone: neighbour
When Shin Min reporters arrived at the Housing and Development Board (HDB) block, they saw two police officers standing outside the deceased's unit.
One of the deceased's sons was also at the scene and was seen conversing with the police officers.
A neighbour of the deceased told the Chinese daily that the man used to live with his mother at the unit.
However, the man subsequently lived alone after his mother passed away.
Shin Min reported that it understands that the man had two sons who would visit him at his flat on weekends.
They would also hire cleaners to help keep the unit clean.
Deceased's friend alerted police
According to Shin Min, the deceased had initially invited a friend to his flat to chat over a meal on Nov. 24 morning.
However, when the friend arrived at the unit, it was discovered that the man had likely passed on in his sleep, and the police were notified.
Shin Min understands that the man suffered from a stroke previously.
He had apparently kept his gate unlocked so that others could swing by his unit to check on him.
A very amiable person
The neighbour that Shin Min spoke to added that the deceased was "very amiable" and would greet his neighbours at their unit.
At times, he would also buy food for the neighbour's daughter.
Top images via Shin Min Daily News
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