A 51-year-old single mother was found dead inside the bathroom of her home in Kampung Umbai last night, prompting firefighters to be called in to assist in removing the body.
The victim, identified as Latifah Md Yassin, was discovered unconscious by her 19-year-old son upon his return home at about 4pm.
According to family friend Noraini Abdullah, 51, the only child of the deceased, who is a student at a private college in Ayer Keroh, found his mother lying motionless in the bathroom with the water tap still running before informing neighbours.
She said the Ministry of Health (MOH) was alerted and confirmed that the woman had already died at the scene.
However, the narrow space inside the bathroom made it difficult for those at the scene to remove the body.
Fire and Rescue Department personnel were subsequently contacted to assist in the operation.
Noraini said the deceased had long been suffering from health complications and had frequently been in and out of hospital for nearly 20 years.
She added that the victim had a history of epilepsy, diabetes, a minor stroke and a slipped disc, which had significantly limited her mobility.
The deceased was heavily dependent on assistance from friends and neighbours for daily activities and movement.
Police reports were lodged at the Merlimau police station at about 6pm for further action.
Separately, Melaka Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer, Senior Fire Officer II Mohd Hafidzatullah Rashid, said the department received an emergency call at 8.24pm before six firefighters from the Merlimau Fire and Rescue Station were deployed to the scene.
He said the team found the victim already confirmed dead by MOH personnel upon arrival.
The operation, led by Senior Fire Officer I TBK II Mohd Sukur Md Ali, successfully removed the body before concluding at 9.50pm without any untoward incidents.
