A 77-year-old woman living with her mentally disabled son, 48, was found dead at home in Sha Tin on Saturday (Oct. 8). She was suspected to have died seven days before she was found, reports Apple Daily.
The body of the woman, surnamed Fung, was found after neighbours reported a foul smell emerging from the Sun Chui Estate flat she shared with her son, surnamed Wong, to a security guard, 66. The guard called the police after finding Wong alone and undressed, the paper said.
Police and firefighters arrived to find Fung’s body in a bedroom inside the flat. She was found collapsed in the bedroom and pronounced dead at the scene.
Wong was found to have injuries on his face and hand, and was admitted into the hospital. As of press time, he remains under hospital care.
A female neighbour, surnamed Chung, told Apple Daily that in the afternoon before the death was uncovered, she found the flat’s door open and asked Wong where his mother was. He was said to have replied, “Mum has gone out. Mum doesn’t want me.” Chung reportedly brought Wong food after the conversation.
The police do not suspect foul play, the paper said.
The tragedy marks the second incident of its kind to have taken place this year. In April, an 82-year-old woman, who lived with her 55-year-old autistic son, died suddenly at home in Sham Shui Po. This death was not discovered until her daughter visited a few days later.
Speaking to the paper after the incident, Legco member and vice-chairman of the Labour Party Fernando Cheung urged the Social Welfare Department to provide better support to families where lone elderly members act as primary caretakers for mentally disabled adults.
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