Police in Zhuoxi Township, Hualien County, discovered the skeletal remains of a man inside a two-story house on Monday (Nov 5), after a friend who hadn’t seen him in years decided to pay a visit. Authorities say there were no signs of forced entry or struggle, and foul play has been ruled out in the initial investigation.
According to reports, a man surnamed Chen went to visit his friend, a 60-year-old man surnamed Lai, at his residence near the Zhuole Tribe along Provincial Highway 30. The two had not been in contact for seven years. When Chen arrived, he repeatedly called out but received no response. Peering through a window, he was shocked to see what appeared to be a human skeleton lying on the living room floor. He immediately alerted police and reportedly broke down in tears.
Officers arrived shortly after and forcibly entered the home. They confirmed that the remains belonged to Lai, who was found fully clothed and lying on the living room floor. No suspicious items or evidence of violence were discovered at the scene.
Neighbors told police that Lai had been battling chronic illnesses and was known to be a heavy drinker. They also revealed that he hadn’t been seen in over a year, leading authorities to suspect he may have died of natural causes. However, the exact cause of death will only be confirmed after forensic examination.
Police have notified the family and reported the case to the Hualien District Prosecutors Office for further investigation. The Yuli Police Precinct reminded the public to check in on relatives or neighbors who live alone to prevent such tragedies from going unnoticed.
