The lone dead: 376B Hougang Street 32
A 68-year-old divorcee, surnamed Zhuang, was found dead yesterday (Jan 11) in a third-storey unit at Block 376B, Hougang Street 32.
According to a neighbour, 76, the deceased had been living alone in the said unit for the past five years.
He told Shin Min Daily News 新明日报, “I sometimes see him in the day leaving his home, but he does not appear to enjoy speaking with others”. He added that given that his unit is always tranquil, there were no reasons to believe that anything untoward had happened to him.
His estranged son, Zhuang Ming Guang (transliterated name), who was informed by the Police, subsequently arrived at the scene, but reportedly, he had not been in contact with his father for the past several years.
“Since my parents’ divorce when I was five, I have had few impressions of him; he was like a stranger to me. Since then, we have lost touch with my father and his side of the family. The last time I saw my late father was a few years ago at my grandmother’s funeral”, said Mr Zhuang.
Shin Min Daily News, 12 January 2023
He added that he is now at a loss as to the next steps to be taken but has since contacted his mother, who is presently on a work trip abroad, and elder sister.
Nevertheless, despite the estrangement, Mr Zhuang said that he is committed to the funerary expenses of his late father, but would give up his claim, if any, to his late father’s assets.
The Singapore Police Force confirmed that they were alerted to a case of unnatural death on the morning (around 11.20am) of 11 January 2023. A 68-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigations are ongoing. No foul play is suspected.
The late Mr Zhuang was last seen five days ago, according to a 64-year-old neighbour, Mr Guna. However, he began to detect a strong smell, akin to a decomposing carcass of a rat, four days prior.
The smell began to grow stronger and more distinct two days before the late Mr Zhuang was discovered.
This is the second reported case of dying alone in 2023.
On 8 January 2023, a 69-year-old elderly woman was found dead in a rental unit at Aljunied Crescent. The deceased was believed to have been dead for at least seven days before she was discovered.
Read more:
Woman, 69, found dead in Aljunied flat after neighbour complains of stench
The Straits Times, 13 January 2023
Top image: Shin Min Daily News
