'I don't know how many days her body was there': Neighbours find woman, 74, dead in Bedok flat
Posted on 06 September 2021 | 8,339 views | 7 comments
Jean Iau
The Straits Times
September 5, 2021 After not hearing from her 74-year-old neighbour for over a week, Madam Choo Peck Luan grew anxious about the woman who lived alone with two cats. Her neighbour, whom she knew only as Lily, had left a light on in her Bedok North Avenue 2 flat but had not been seen feeding stray cats in her neighbourhood or hanging out her laundry as part of her daily chores. On Saturday (Sept 4), Madam Choo, 56, and another neighbour, Mr Wee Siew Lye, 65, opened Lily's unlocked front door and a rotting smell wafted out.
Mr Wee, who called the police, told The Straits Times: "When I opened the door, the strong smell came out. It was very smelly, like rotting. I don't know how many days her body was there, her windows and doors were always closed."
The deliveryman added that Lily was usually alone and he never noticed her having any visitors, even during Chinese New Year.
The police said they were alerted to the case of unnatural death at Block 514 Bedok North Avenue 2 at about 5pm on Saturday.
The 74-year-old woman was pronounced dead by a paramedic.
Police investigations are ongoing, but they do not suspect foul play.
Madam Choo, a cleaner, said she had last seen Lily on Aug 26 after she took her to see a doctor. She said Lily had difficulty eating but did not say what her condition was.
According to Madam Choo's call log seen by ST, the two women spoke on the phone for the last time on Aug 27.
"I noticed her light in her flat was left on all the time... but when I called her, there was no response," she said in Mandarin and Teochew.
Madam Choo, who was present when the authorities entered Lily's flat, said Lily was found lying face down, and one of her cats was lying near her body.
When ST arrived at the block on Sunday afternoon, the door and windows to the unit were closed.
The Straits Times
September 5, 2021 After not hearing from her 74-year-old neighbour for over a week, Madam Choo Peck Luan grew anxious about the woman who lived alone with two cats. Her neighbour, whom she knew only as Lily, had left a light on in her Bedok North Avenue 2 flat but had not been seen feeding stray cats in her neighbourhood or hanging out her laundry as part of her daily chores.
Police officers spotted outside the flat of a 74-year-old woman who was found dead inside on Sept 5, 2021. ST PHOTO: JEAN IAU
Madam Choo Peck Luan adopted her neighbour Lily's two cats. ST PHOTO: JEAN IAU
Source:
The Straits Times
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