Condo Management Responds to Incident of Resident Who Died Alone in Her Unit for Almost 2 Years

On 23 Nov 2020, the remains of a human body and a dog were found in a unit at The Shore Residences along Amber Road.

The remains were later identified to be the occupant of the condo unit, 80-year-old Madam Lily Loh.

It was then revealed that the elderly women had passed away two years ago. 

Needless to say, questions were asked of the condo’s management, as residents claimed it was notified about Mdm Loh’s disappearance but did nothing.

Now, the management has responded to the accusations.

Condo Management Responds to Incident of Resident Who Died Alone in Her Unit for Almost 2 Years

The Shore Residences management said it had made “numerous” attempts to visit Madam Lily Loh since 2018, reported ST.

Moreover, it also reached out to the police and relevant government and animal welfare agencies for assistance, after Madam Loh’s neighbours raised concerns.

A spokesman for the condo’s management said that contacting Madam Loh wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

“Very often, reaching out to independent elderly residents can have its own challenges,” he said.

Management tried repeatedly to contact Madam Loh at her house, but were unsuccessful. As a result, legal letters for unpaid management fees were served to her at her doorstep.

It then filed a police report on 1 Oct, more than a month before her body was found.

What Happened

The last time anyone saw Madam Loh was in January last year, when a neighbour spotted her after returning from a trip.

Concerns were raised when letters began piling up at her door, including two from PUB and court papers addressed to her from the condo’s management.

There was also a strange smell that wafted in the hallway outside Madam Loh’s unit.

A concerned neighbour shared this with Mr Lim Biow Chuan, MP for Mountbatten, and he alerted the police.

Then, on 23 Nov, police officers broke into Madam Loh’s unit together with staff from the condo’s management.

There, they discovered the remains of Madam Loh and her dog in the apartment.

The cause of the 80-year-old’s death remains unclear, but preliminary investigations do not suspect foul play.

Need a Valid Reason to Break Into Unit

So, why did it take so long for her body to be discovered?

As the condo’s management explained to TNP: “It really depends on what was the actual `concern raised and when that concern was raised… unless there is a missing person report by her next of kin, the police may not be able to do much.”

The police first need to investigate a matter before breaking into someone’s home, as they need a valid reason to do so.

The condo’s management added that the matter is being investigated by the police, and that it is cooperating fully with all the relevant authorities.

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