Man, 71 & woman, 66, found dead in Punggol flat: Records show couple married 47 years, ran business together

The elderly couple who were found dead in a Northshore Drive flat in Punggol on Feb. 27 had been married 47 years, marriage records showed.

The man was 71 and the woman was 66, according to the police.

They had gotten married in 1978 and ran a shipping business together, which ceased operations in 2021, Shin Min Daily News reported.

The case has been classified an unnatural death and the police are investigating.

Friendly couple

Neighbours that spoke to Shin Min shared that the couple had appeared healthy and agile.

The woman was cheerful and would greet neighbours, said a 73-year-old resident who gave his name as Liu.

The deceased woman had also reportedly previously volunteered at a testing station downstairs during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Her husband was more reserved, and was often seen tending the plants at the corridor, Liu said.

When Shin Min reporters visited the scene, the flat's entrance was seen decorated with red streamers and lanterns for Chinese New Year.

Bloody scene

The deaths were discovered when relatives visited and realised something was amiss, Shin Min reported.

When police responded to the incident, the flat was apparently found covered in blood, and the couple were found dead in the living room, it was reported.

A neighbour told The Straits Times that his wife had heard shouting from the flat at around 5am on Feb. 27.

"It was a woman shouting. But we couldn't hear what she was saying," the resident said. "We only realised something happened after we saw SCDF officers outside the couple's home this morning."

A shock

ST also spoke to the couple's godson, who was seen being comforted by police officers outside the unit.

He had only found out about the deaths after seeing the report on the news, and noticing the block number and floor, he said.

"We would often meet for meals. They would even wait for me to finish work before having dinner together. I don’t know how this happened,” he said tearfully.

Two people, who said they were the dead couple's children, later turned up at the flat to speak to the police.

They declined to speak to reporters before leaving the scene.

8world reported the deceased couple are survived by their son and daughter.

Top image from Shin Min Daily News