Man, 78, found dead in Lengkok Bahru flat after bread left uncollected outside for a week

A 78-year-old man was found motionless and pronounced dead in his Block 58 Lengkok Bahru flat on Jul. 25 after volunteers discovered that bread delivered to his house had not been collected for a week.

Shin Min Daily News reported that the man, identified as Lin Yaba (transliterated), was found in his living room on Jul. 25.

Family members at scene

When Shin Min visited the flat on Saturday, the area had been cordoned off.

The deceased's siblings and other family members arrived at about 4pm.

His body was then loaded into a vehicle at about 5:30pm.

His family burned joss paper to send him off.

Would interact with neighbours

Speaking to Shin Min, two neighbours said Lin had lived in the flat for over 40 years.

He worked as a cleaner before he retired.

His sister visited him often and helped clean his house, they added.

A 70-year-old neighbour, Chen (transliterated), said he would push his bicycle and go out every day.

Chen added that he last saw Lin on Jul. 16 when he went downstairs to sing with other residents, and had not seen him since then.

Bread not collected since Jul. 18

"When the volunteers arrived this morning, they found that the bread from last Saturday was still hanging at the door and had not been taken inside," said Chen, adding that they called the police after realising something was wrong.

Lin's sister told Shin Min that her brother was an introvert and a bachelor.

While he was always appeared healthy, he had complained of a prostate problem two weeks ago, she added.

Lin's younger sister said she would visit her brother during school holidays when she did not have to take care of her grandchildren.

She also said he would visit their house for a feast each new year.

Pronounced dead at scene

Responding to Mothership's queries, the police said they received a call for assistance at Block 58 Lengkok Bahru at about 12:20pm on Jul. 25.

A 78-year-old man was found lying motionless in a residential unit and was pronounced dead at the scene.

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