Man, dead for months, found in apartment

Police discovered yesterday the body of a 59-year-old man in Yangpu District, Shanghai, who died in his apartment months ago.

The sad case once again highlighted the indifference and apathy of modern living, especially among neighbors.

The man, surnamed Li, who had not been seen by the neighbors for months, was found dead in his bed when police broke into his apartment in Lane 82 Yanji Road E. yesterday - his body showing signs of decay.

"He has been dead for a while, but we still need the medical report to ascertain the exact time of death," said Yangpu District police's media coordinator surnamed Tang. Police have ruled out the possibility of a homicide.

Li, who was a bachelor, had lived in the apartment on the sixth floor of the building for years and neighbors said they had not seen him for a while.

A strong smell from his apartment forced the neighbors to inform the neighborhood committee, police said.

"The committee called us around noon and we contacted the man's family," Tang told Shanghai Daily. "We broke into his apartment after that."

Li was still covered by quilt when his body was discovered.

It was the second such case in the city since November when a 51-year-old man, living alone, was found dead months later.