Decomposing Body of 60-Year-Old Woman Found in HDB Flat After Neighbor Reports Foul Odor

On the first day of Chinese New Year (Feb 10), police discovered the decomposing body of a 60-year-old woman in an HDB flat at Block 3 Jalan Bukit Merah. The discovery was made after neighbors noticed a strong odor and reported it to authorities.

A nearby resident, Su (transliteration), aged 62, told Shin Min Daily News that he first noticed the smell the day before. “It was like rotting meat — unbearable,” he said, prompting him to alert the police. When officers arrived, they cordoned off the unit and began gathering evidence. The police confirmed an unnatural death, though homicide was ruled out.

Another resident, 18-year-old Rahman (transliteration), explained that the deceased usually resided on the ninth floor but would occasionally stay in the flat, as it belonged to a friend currently believed to be in prison. “She stayed over once in a while. We noticed the smell recently but never expected this outcome,” he shared.

In a similar incident last year, an elderly man was found deceased in a Bukit Merah flat days before Hari Raya. A trauma cleaner from DDQ Services described the scene as a tragic reminder of the man’s anticipation for the upcoming celebration, evidenced by a neatly prepared outfit for the festivities amidst the scene.