Daughter believed to have lived in Hougang flat with body of father, 77, for over 3 days
https://mothership.sg/2025/04/daughter-hougang-flat-body-father-3-days/
After celebrating Eid al-Fitr with his family, a 77-year-old man returned home and passed away a week later.
His daughter, who lived with and took care of him, is suspected to have stayed with the body for a few days before eventually calling the police.
The police told
Mothership they were alerted to a case of unnatural death at Block 124 Hougang Avenue 1 at 5:45am on Apr. 10.
The 77-year-old man was found lying motionless in a residential unit and pronounced dead at the scene.
Foul odor for the past three or four days
Neighbours said they had smelled a foul odour for the past three or four days, but did not think too much of it as they did not expect such a tragedy to happen, as reported by
Shin Min Daily News.
A family member who did not wish to be named told the Chinese news outlet that the 77-year-old man had eight siblings, and he was the second oldest.
The man had two daughters, with one currently residing in Australia.
The family was shocked when they heard the news, as they had just met him recently during Eid al-Fitr.
However, the family noted that the man had looked unwell back then. They observed that he struggled to catch his breath and sat hunched on the couch with his cane in his hand.
They also said that his condition looked worse compared to the year before, though the daughter said she had brought him to the doctor.
The family didn't pry as the man did not want to speak much due to his poor condition.
Shin Min reported that the man's daughter has a history of mental illness and had been taking care of her father for a long time.
The police told
Mothership that based on preliminary investigations, they do not suspect foul play.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Similar case in December 2023
In December 2023, the body of an 81-year-old man was found in a flat at Block 25 Hougang Avenue 3.
The man's son, who has special needs and depended on his father, was suspected to have lived with the body for at least five days before police were called in on Dec. 14.