Tragic double death in Hong Kong: Son’s sudden death causes 82-yr-old mother to starve

HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s Kwun Tong District was shocked by the discovery of an 82-year-old bedridden woman and her 60-year-old son found dead in their home last week.

Preliminary police investigations suggest that the son may have died suddenly due to illness, leaving his paralyzed mother without care, which led to her “starvation to death,” resulting in this tragic double death.

The incident has underscored the lack of emergency care and support available for families in need within the community.

According to the online media outlet Hong Kong 01, the mother, surnamed Luk, had retired and had a history of high blood pressure and diabetes, requiring long-term bed rest.

Her daily living and dietary needs were fully dependent on her son, surnamed Dong, who worked as a part-time security guard. They lived together in a flat at Cheung On Mansion, 78 Shui Wo Street.

The media reported that the landlord had called Mrs Luk on 2 August to remind her about the rent payment.

However, when the landlord called again that evening, Mrs Luk was already out of contact.

By the afternoon of the 7 August, when the landlord went to collect the rent, there was no response from inside the flat.

Suspecting something was wrong and fearing that his tenant might have collapsed inside, the landlord called the police.

The police received the report at around 5 p.m. When they arrived at the residence, there was no response at the door, leading them to suspect that the tenant might have collapsed inside.

Rescue personnel arrived, forced entry into the apartment, and confirmed that both the mother and son were dead at the scene.

Mr Dong’s body was found collapsed behind the wooden door, while Mrs Luk was lying on the bed in the bedroom.

The bodies showed no obvious signs of injury, and no suicide notes were found, with no initial indications of suicide. Local authorities are investigating the cause of death.

This latest long-term caregiver tragedy occurs nearly a year after the death of two intellectually disabled brothers in Sau Mau Ping in September of the previous year.