KUALA LUMPUR:Residents of an apartment in Kepong were shocked last week by the discovery of a human skeleton, believed to belong to an elderly man in his 60s who had died about four years ago.
The remains were found by the man's son, who had gone to the apartment after being unable to reach his father.
The son last heard from his father four years ago, in 2020.
Sentul District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Sukarno Mohd Zahari, said that police received a report from the victim's son on Sept 5.
According to the report, the complainant arrived at the apartment to find the door locked. After breaking it open, he discovered his father's body, which had decomposed to a skeleton.
Sukarno explained that investigations revealed the victim had been living alone after divorcing the complainant's mother, and the last contact with his father was in 2020. The exact time of death could not be determined.
Earlier, news of the elderly man's death, which had been unreported for four years, went viral on social media and WhatsApp.
The viral messages indicated that the victim had previously informed friends and residents of his intention to return to his village before disappearing.
The messages also noted that the son visited the apartment on Sept 5, and the management had to force open the door to check the condition of the residence. The discovery surprised many, as there had been no noticeable foul odor in the area.