Taichung City, Taiwan — November 14, 2025
A heartbreaking case of “lonely death” surfaced in Beitun District, Taichung, after authorities discovered the skeletal remains of an 82-year-old woman surnamed Zeng inside her home. Police confirmed today that initial findings point to cardiopulmonary failure, and the case has been forwarded to the prosecutor for autopsy procedures.
Water Usage Anomaly Leads to Suspicion
The incident was uncovered after personnel from the Taiwan Water Corporation noticed an alarming spike in the household’s water consumption. The elderly woman’s water usage, normally low, had surged dramatically to over 6,000 liters in the previous two months — far beyond typical levels.
Following company protocol, staff issued a consumption warning. The veteran meter reader, who knew the woman lived alone, felt something was wrong and immediately contacted the neighborhood chief to conduct a welfare check.
Authorities Force Entry and Make Grim Discovery
Responding to the alert, the neighborhood leader, social workers, and police went to the residence. After receiving no response at the door, they forced entry. Inside, they found the woman’s mummified remains, indicating she had been dead for an extended period.
Investigators discovered that a faucet in the house had been left running continuously — likely after the woman collapsed, unable to get up or call for help. This unattended water flow caused the massive spike in water usage.
Meter Still Running
When water company staff returned today to remove the meter, they found the reading had climbed to 7033 units, and the meter was still running, confirming that water had been leaking uninterrupted for months.
Family Contacted
Police managed to reach Zeng’s daughter, who said she had not spoken with her mother for over six months. She did not raise objections to the findings on the cause of death.
Authorities ruled out foul play and emphasized the importance of community vigilance, especially for elderly residents living alone.