Man, 56, found dead in Toa Payoh flat when neighbour notices foul smell after 2 days - Mothership

A 56-year-old man was found dead in his Toa Payoh flat after a neighbour noticed he had not left home for two days.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the neighbour had also noticed that the lights in the unit remained off and there was a foul odour, prompting him to ask a young passer-by to call the police.

In response to Mothership's queries, the police confirmed receiving a call for assistance at Block 52 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh at around 9:50am on Nov. 11.

A 56-year-old man was found lying motionless in a residential unit and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Based on investigations, the police do not suspect foul play.

Upon arriving at the scene, a Shin Min reporter noted that the unit was locked with a chain, the wooden door was slightly ajar and the upper half of the window louvres was open.

A strong stench could still be smelled up close, and a bicycle and a power-assisted bicycle were parked outside.

Speaking to Shin Min, the neighbour said the man lived alone, and often rode the bicycle parked at the door to work.

He added that the man appeared to do odd jobs and did not have a full-time job.

"I’ve lived here for 20 years, and this man has lived here for a long time. Back then, he lived with his mother and younger brother," the neighbour said.

However, the man and his brother did not seem to be on good terms, the neighbour said, and the brother moved out after their mother died.

He added that the man kept to himself — he never saw any friends visit, and the brother never came by.

He also described the man as having had a simple routine: he rode out to work during the day, and watched TV dramas or listened to the radio at home in the evenings.