Woman in Sengkang flat double death weighed only 24kg, likely died of starvation: ST

The body of Xu Na, 48, which was found alongside her father's in a Sengkang Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat on Oct. 6, 2025, weighed only 24kg when she was discovered, The Straits Times reported.

Details surrounding the case were shared as Police Inspector 2 Irfan Al-Nazirul testified during a Coroner's Inquiry into the deaths of the woman and her father, Xu Baolu, 74.

Their bodies were discovered after neighbours complained of a foul smell emanating from their unit at Block 324D Sengkang East Way in October 2025.

Suffered from psychosis, refused to eat

According to ST, the inspector testified that Xu suffered from psychosis and often refused to eat or drink as she was paranoid about being poisoned.

She likely died of starvation and dehydration.

The inspector said that no food was found in the unit, other than some condiments in the fridge.

The house also lacked a stove because the elder Xu removed it for his daughter's safety, according to a relative.

An Institute of Mental Health report stated that Xu Na also suffered from auditory hallucinations.

Their family relatives also shared about Xu Na's deteriorating mental health, pointing to an incident where she refused to eat or drink when she visited them in 2017, ST wrote.

Daughter was alive till after Aug. 30, 2025

The younger Xu was last seen in public on Jun. 29, 2025, at a convenience store, ST reported.

She had difficulty communicating, could not recall her address to police officers, and had only S$5.77 in her EZ-Link card.

However, investigations showed that Xu was alive until after Aug. 30, 2025

A town council notice was pasted by representatives on her front door on Aug. 28, 2025, after neighbours complained in July about a foul smell.

The notice was still on their front door on Aug. 30 when town council representatives inspected the units.

This notice was later found strewn among newspapers and other items in their flat when the Xus' bodies were discovered on Oct. 6, 2025.

According to ST, it is believed Xu likely removed the notice from the front door.

Father believed to have died after Jun. 3, 2025

Her father was believed to have died after Jun. 3, 2025, ST wrote.

As only his skeletal remains were found in the flat, his cause of death was undetermined.

His bank records showed that he last made a withdrawal on Jun. 3, 2025.

Neighbours pointed out that both father and daughter were reclusive and said they had seen Xu Na exhibiting unusual behaviour, such as making strange noises or singing to herself.

Background

The bodies of the Xus were discovered on Oct. 6, 2025, after neighbours complained of a foul smell.

The neighbour in the unit directly below the Xus' home also noticed liquid leaking from her ceiling.

The father's body was later found in the bedroom in a severe state of decomposition.

The younger Xu's body was discovered near the main door in the living room.

Xu Na holds a master's degree from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and a doctorate from the University of Cambridge.

After news broke of her passing, Xu's former university classmates banded together to help with the funeral and locate her next-of-kin.

The Xus' next-of-kin later flew into Singapore from China on Dec. 2 and 3 and were present for their last rites.

Xu's and her father's bodies were flown back to China and laid to rest there.

Top image via Shin Min Daily News