A 78-year-old man was found dead inside his flat at Block 58 Lengkok Bahru in Singapore after volunteers noticed that bread delivered to his home had remained untouched for a week.
According to Shin Min Daily News, the man, identified as Lin Yaba (transliterated), was discovered lying motionless in the living room of his flat on July 25.
When reporters arrived at the scene, the area had been cordoned off as police conducted their investigation. The man’s siblings and other relatives arrived at about 4pm, and his body was taken away around 5.30pm. Family members later burned joss paper as a final farewell.
Neighbours said Lin had lived in the flat for more than 40 years and previously worked as a cleaner before retiring. They described him as a quiet man who would regularly cycle around the neighbourhood, while his sister frequently visited to help clean his home.
One neighbour, a 70-year-old man surnamed Chen, said he last saw Lin on July 16 when he joined other residents downstairs for a singing session. He added that volunteers became concerned after discovering bread delivered on July 18 was still hanging outside the front door and had never been brought inside, prompting them to alert the police.
Lin’s sister told Shin Min Daily News that her brother was a bachelor and generally appeared to be in good health, although he had recently complained about prostate-related health issues around two weeks earlier. She said she would usually visit him during school holidays when she was free from caring for her grandchildren, while Lin would visit the family every Chinese New Year.
The Singapore Police Force said it received a call for assistance at about 12.20pm on July 25. Officers found the 78-year-old man lying motionless inside the flat, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said preliminary investigations found no evidence of foul play, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
