Body found 4 months after death (2)

Qian, who never married, lived alone in the apartment. Neighbors said he was unsociable and had a poor relationship with his two older brothers.

The committee member said she last saw him in the middle of July.

Qian's brother only went to the apartment after failing to reach him on his mobile and home phones several times, according to the newspaper report. After no one answered the door Friday, Qian's brother decided to return the following day with their other brother. When no one answered the door again, the brothers called emergency services and a locksmith.

When Qian's body was discovered, it had decomposed to the point it was little more than a skeleton, the newspaper reported.

Neighbors said police removed the body from the apartment in pieces using plastic bags.

The Jiangwan Town Zhonglie Community has a program that checks in on residents, but it is limited to senior citizens over the age of 60, the committee member said.