Sengkang deaths: inquiry hears woman weighed 24kg and likely died from starvation and dehydration
A coroner’s inquiry into the deaths of Xu Na and her father, Xu Baolu, has revealed the 48-year-old woman likely died of starvation and dehydration months after her father's passing. The former researcher suffered from psychosis and lived in a flat without a stove or food.
- Xu Na, a Cambridge doctorate holder suffering from psychosis, is believed to have died of starvation and dehydration after being found weighing only 24kg.
- Xu Baolu likely died shortly after 3 June 2025, while his daughter is believed to have survived in the flat until after 30 August 2025.
- Police found no signs of foul play or forced entry in the flat, which contained no food supplies and lacked a cooking stove.
SINGAPORE: A 48-year-old woman found dead alongside her father in a Sengkang flat likely died from starvation and dehydration, a coroner’s inquiry heard on 31 March 2026.
Police Inspector Irfan Al-Nazirul testified that Xu Na weighed just 24kg when her body was discovered on 6 October 2025.
He stated that there were no signs of injuries or trauma on her body.
Due to the advanced state of decomposition, the exact cause of death could not be conclusively determined, but evidence pointed strongly towards prolonged malnutrition and dehydration.
Authorities also confirmed that no foul play was involved in either death.
Discovery of the bodies
The bodies of Xu Na and her father, Xu Baolu, 74, were found in their Housing and Development Board flat at Block 324D Sengkang East Way.
Police were alerted after a neighbour reported a fluid leak from the ceiling below the unit.
Officers arrived at about 2pm and had to engage a locksmith to gain entry as the door was locked.
Inside, Xu Na’s decomposed body was found in the living room, while her father’s skeletal remains were discovered in a bedroom.
Investigators found no signs of forced entry or weapons within the flat.
The unit key was located inside the living room.
Father believed to have died months earlier
Investigations indicated that Xu Baolu likely died shortly after 3 June 2025.
Bank records showed that he withdrew S$500 on that date, with no further transactions except automatic bill deductions.
No known medical conditions were recorded prior to his death.
However, his cause of death could not be determined due to the condition of his remains.
Daughter’s prolonged isolation
Despite her father’s death, Xu Na is believed to have survived for several months afterward.
She was last seen in public on 29 June 2025 at a convenience store, where she struggled to communicate her address to police officers.
At the time, she had only S$5.77 stored on her transport card.
Evidence later suggested she was alive after 30 August 2025.
Authorities believed she had removed a town council notice that had been pasted on her door on 28 August.
The notice was later found inside the flat among newspapers and clutter.
Town council inspections and missed signs
Complaints about a foul smell in the block were first received in July 2025.
Town council officers placed notices on several units on 28 August.
When they returned on 30 August, the notice remained on the door of the Xu flat, and no smell was detected.
This indicated that Xu Na may still have been alive at the time.
However, by the time the bodies were discovered in October, decomposition fluids had begun leaking into the unit below.
Living conditions inside the flat
Inspector Irfan testified that no food was found inside the unit, apart from condiments stored in the refrigerator.
The flat also did not have a stove.
A relative told police that Xu Baolu had removed it for safety reasons, due to concerns about his daughter.
The lack of food and cooking facilities reinforced the conclusion that Xu Na had suffered severe neglect and starvation.
Mental health struggles
Reports from the Institute of Mental Health indicated that Xu Na suffered from psychosis accompanied by auditory hallucinations.
She was known to refuse food and water due to paranoia about being poisoned.
Neighbours described her as reclusive and exhibiting unusual behaviour, including talking or singing to herself.
Relatives also recounted earlier incidents reflecting her deteriorating condition.
During a visit to family members in China in 2017, she reportedly refused to eat or drink for similar reasons.
Background of the family
Xu Na was previously an accomplished academic with an extensive educational background.
She graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in computer science in 2001 and a master’s degree in 2003.
She later earned a doctorate from the University of Cambridge in 2008.
She went on to work as a scientific researcher in France between 2009 and 2012.
Accounts from acquaintances described her as having a small social circle and maintaining limited contact with relatives.
Her mother died in 2016 at the age of 66.
The coroner presiding over the inquiry is expected to deliver findings on 15 May 2026.
Timeline of events
3 June 2025: Xu Baolu withdraws S$500; believed to have died shortly after
29 June 2025: Xu Na seen at a convenience store, appearing disoriented
July 2025: Complaints of foul smell received by town council
28 August 2025: Notices pasted on affected units
30 August 2025: Inspection finds no smell; notice remains on door
6 October 2025: Bodies discovered following report of ceiling leak
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