A 71-year-old man believed to have been dead for almost a year was found reduced to skeletal remains in his 10th-floor flat at Sims Place, Singapore, on 28 March 2025.
The case was first reported by Shin Min Daily News, which stated that the discovery occurred around 2:10 p.m. when a painter noticed a strong odour while working on repainting the building’s exterior.
According to the report, the deceased, a man who lived alone, was found lying on his bed with only bones remaining. The find was made possible when painters, using a gondola system, passed by the unit’s open window.
One of the workers, 27-year-old Mavji, told Shin Min Daily News that he detected a foul smell while working and immediately alerted his supervisor and called the police.
Another painter, who did not wish to be named, said he saw a skeleton lying on a bed inside the bedroom. Nearby, he noticed a set of clothing — a shirt and trousers — and was shaken by the discovery. “There was only a skeleton left!” he said.
Police officers arrived shortly afterward and cordoned off the unit at Block 63 Sims Place. Several officers were seen entering and exiting the premises as investigations commenced.
Reporters from Shin Min Daily News, who visited the scene at about 4 p.m., observed that the flat was extremely cluttered. Piles of miscellaneous items filled both the living room and bedroom.
Two suitcases and a television were visible near the doorway, while the unit’s windows remained uncovered.
Renovation notices had been posted on the building’s ground floor bulletin board, indicating that repainting works began on 10 March and would continue until 10 May.
Neighbours said the deceased had lived in the flat for many years and had little contact with others. Jamal, a 73-year-old retiree, recalled that when he moved in six or seven years ago, the man was already living there but kept to himself.
“He locked his door during the day and only came out at night,” Jamal told reporters.
“I’ve never seen any family members visiting him.”
A 90-year-old neighbour, Madam Tan, said she had worried about the man’s wellbeing but did not suspect anything was wrong due to the lack of any strong odour.
“I hadn’t seen him for so long. I even thought he might have died inside, and it turns out I was right,” she said.
The Singapore Police Force confirmed that a report of unnatural death had been made. The 71-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest no foul play, although inquiries are ongoing.
The case has drawn renewed attention to the risks faced by elderly individuals living alone in densely populated urban areas.
Authorities and community groups have increasingly highlighted the importance of staying connected with vulnerable residents.
While forensic examinations will determine the exact time and cause of death, the skeletal state of the body indicates the man may have died many months ago.
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