Body of deaf man, 81, found in a state of decomposition in Bukit Merah rental flat

The body of an 81-year-old man was discovered in a state of decomposition after his neighbours were alerted to a smell coming from a rental flat at Block 117 Bukit Merah View.

The body was found on Saturday, May 31 at about 11:10am.

Deceased was deaf, according to neighbour

A 68-year-old resident of the block told Shin Min Daily News that the deceased was deaf and lived alone.

The resident said he was the one who called the police.

The resident told Shin Min: "I noticed a detail, which is that the deceased would dry his clothes every weekend, but I found that he did not dry his clothes today."

"And the smell was obviously coming from next door, so I knew something was wrong, so I called the police," he added.

Tried to mask smell

The smell was first detected as early as three days before the body was found.

The resident added that the last time he saw the man was likely three weeks ago.

Another resident apparently could not sleep due to the smell, and even tried spraying insecticide initially to mask it, but the scent got stronger over time.

Kept to himself

The deceased man was said to have just nodded whenever he met people in the block, and did not otherwise communicate with others.

He was seen working as a petrol pump attendant before he retired.

Apparently had a son

Another resident said she saw the deceased in good health previously and he would frequently buy food from the shops downstairs, but largely kept to himself.

She also claimed that he apparently had a son, but he was not seen regularly.

The police confirmed a man was found in the unit and was later confirmed dead.

According to preliminary investigations, there was no foul play involved and investigations are ongoing.

Top photos via Shin Min Daily News & Google Maps