[Updated] The lone dead: Block 257 Serangoon Central Drive
Updated: 18 January 2023, 23 15hrs
A 59-year-old male person, who was allegedly rough sleeping, was found dead by a cleaner this morning (Jan 16), at about 8.29 a.m., at Block 257, Serangoon Central Drive.
Interviewed by Shin Min Daily News, the cleaner said that he found the deceased at the site where he was last known to be rough sleeping.
A mattress and a pair of slippers were found onsite. A pool of blood was also noticeable, and a distinct foul smell was detected ten metres away, according to the Shin Min journalist who was at the scene.
Personal belongings, including the wallet of the deceased, were also found.
“Earlier this morning, at 6 a.m., I walked past the site where this person usually sleeps and detected a foul smell. When I realised that something was amiss, I contacted my supervisor, who subsequently contacted the Police”, said the cleaner.
He added, “Last Saturday, whilst at work, I saw the man lying down, and he appears to be asleep, so I did not disturb him. As I was not at work yesterday (Sun, Jan 15), I did not know what had happened to him.
Shin Min Daily News, 16 January 2023
According to the journalist’s observation, the site where the deceased was found rough sleeping [and dead] was a secluded adjoining corner that faces a multi-storey carpark, and the spot was not very noticeable from the outside.
The man is believed to have been dead for two days.
The deceased, according to residents interviewed by Shin Min, does not appear to be a resident living in the vicinity. A resident, surnamed Mr Soh, told the press that a few days ago, he had found a man lying at the exact same spot where the deceased was found, and he appears to be asleep.
The Singapore Police Force confirmed that a 59-year-old man was found dead at the void deck of the aforementioned HDB block, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to preliminary investigations, the Police do not suspect any foul play. Investigations are ongoing.
Death Kopitiam Singapore has reached out to the local Member of Parliament, the honourable Mr Seah Kian Peng, for further clarification - as of 18 January 2023, we did not receive a response.
Nevertheless, Mr Seah made the following remarks to The Straits Times:
- The man was not his resident, but was often seen sleeping at night at the void deck of Block 257 Serangoon Central Drive - in other words, the man was not sleeping in his constituency but not his resident.
- There are a "very small number of rough sleepers" in his constituency, and they often have their own homes but opt to sleep in the streets on the streets for various reasons such as family disputes - in other words, rough sleeping is a choice for some
- His grassroots volunteers will try to engage these people [a reference to rough sleepers] and offer help if needed.
- His team also works with social service offices and other government agencies to follow up on these cases.
However, Mr Seah did not address some key questions:
- Given that the deceased was found lying on a mattress, which appears that he may been rough sleeping for a period of time at the same spot, how long has the deceased been known to him and his grassroots volunteers?
- How long has the deceased been rough sleeping at the said spot where he passed away?
- What are some of the aid/assistance that Mr Seah's office and government agencies have been rendering to the deceased prior to his death, if any?
- How did the deceased person respond to the help rendered to him then, if any?
- Lastly, how many rough sleepers are there in his constituency?
We have sent the aforementioned questions to Mr Seah for further clarification.
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If you encounter a rough sleeper who requires support or shelter, you can email MSF_PEERSOffice@msf.gov.sg or call the ComCare hotline on 1800-222-0000.
The Straits Times, 19 January 2023
