S'pore woman, 46, found dead in Chai Chee flat, volunteer called police after seeing unclaimed food outside flat

A 46-year-old woman was pronounced dead on Apr. 9, 2026, in her Chai Chee flat after a charity volunteer called the police upon seeing unclaimed food outside her flat and was worried for her safety.

Shin Min Daily News observed at the scene that there were police cars parked at the block, with police officers at the affected unit.

Affected unit

In addition, there were two "Fu" couplets pasted on the unit's front door, Shin Min noted, adding that some items could be found outside her house, including a personal mobility aid, trolley and paper cartons.

There was also unclaimed food from a charity hanging from a pipe.

Lunch boxes

Speaking to Shin Min, a person-in-charge from the charity who wished to remain anonymous, said a volunteer had delivered food to the woman's flat at about 11am on Apr. 8, 2026.

However, the volunteer realised that the woman had not collected food that had previously been delivered.

At about 4pm on Apr. 8, the volunteer delivered food to the woman's flat again, but the situation remained the same.

Concerned for the woman's safety, the volunteer reported this to a person-in-charge.

Mobility issues

The next morning, on Apr. 9, the volunteer, who visited the woman's flat again to check on her, was worried something might have happened to her and called the police as she had missed collecting her food twice.

Noting that the charity delivers food twice a day, the volunteer said they always take pictures of uncollected food and report them to a person-in-charge as soon as possible.

A neighbour told Shin Min that prior to this, the woman reportedly moved into her flat about 10 years ago, where she initially interacted with her neighbours.

However, he noted that in recent years, the woman almost never exchanged greetings with her neighbours even when they met.

Another neighbour, 57, recalled hearing the woman return home last week and had not heard from her since.

He added that the woman reportedly had mobility issues and required a personal mobility aid to get around.

Pronounced dead

Responding to Mothership's queries, the police confirmed receiving a call for assistance at Block 38 Chai Chee Avenue at about 10:55am on Apr. 9.

A 46-year-old woman was found motionless in a residential unit.

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed receiving a call for assistance on Apr. 9 at about 12:20pm to the same address.

An SCDF paramedic pronounced the woman dead at the scene.

Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play and police investigations are ongoing.

Top photos via Shin Min Daily News