Neighbours claimed the body was “basically just a skeleton” when police finally broke down the door to find her remains on Friday, February 18. The 61-year-old who had lived at the flat on St Mary’s Road in Peckham, South London, reportedly owed thousands in rent and her letterbox was overflowing with her post.
Residents in the building had complained to the housing association landlord since October 2019 when they noticed a foul smell in the building, the Sun reported.
These complaints reportedly continued for the next two years before police finally forced entry into the flat last week.
A young woman who lived next door to the deceased woman said: “They told me she was basically a skeleton and asked me to confirm her ethnicity.
“It’s disgusting. I’m just shocked. I didn’t know her very well but she would sometimes collect my deliveries.
“I came back from a trip abroad in September or October 2019 when I noticed a horrific stench in the building.
“It was so bad, I had to put a towel under the door.”
Neighbours became more concerned for the woman’s welfare in 2020 when a forced entry notice for a routine gas check was put on her door.
Residents said they repeatedly called the housing association but police initially said the woman may have moved abroad during the pandemic.
The neighbour said: “We repeatedly called the housing association because it was weird.
“The police came but they said lots of people had moved out of London during the pandemic and she could be abroad.”
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The Met Police said: “At 7.01pm on Friday, February 18, police were called to a flat in St Mary’s Road, Peckham.
“Concerns had been raised about the welfare of a woman who lived at the address.
“Officers attended and forced entry. The body of a 61-year-old woman who was deceased was found inside.
“The woman’s death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.
“A file will be prepared for the coroner.”
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1569205/London-news-woman-body-found-flat-complaints-smell-Peckham
