A grim discovery was made by the Torrevieja Civil Guard as they uncovered the body of
a man, who had been dead for a minimum of ten days, within a residential apartment
in Punta Prima. The distressing find was reported by the apartment's residents, who
were alerted by a strong and pungent smell permeating the area. The report was made
at approximately 10:30pm on Saturday. The apartment was situated on Pleamar Street
in the Rocío del Mar neighbourhood on the border with Orihuela Costa.
Upon responding to the alarm, the Civil Guard officers entered the apartment and
were confronted by a grisly sight – the remains of a 54-year-old man, originally from
Norway, in a highly advanced stage of decomposition. The individual was identified as
the solitary tenant of the apartment, as indicated by official documents retrieved from
one of the rooms.
Tragically, it was revealed that the tenant suffered with Diogenes syndrome. This is a
behavioural-health condition characterised by poor personal hygiene, hoarding, and
unkempt living conditions. It is most common in older men and women, which is why it
is also called senile squalor syndrome. People with Diogenes syndrome demonstrate
little concern for self-care or a clean living environment, and seem undisturbed about
their condition or how others respond to it.
Consequently, the residents of the building only registered an issue when the
overpowering stench extended to the communal areas of the apartment block.
Moreover, the deceased had also been grappling with health complications stemming
from his morbid obesity.
The task of removing the body was executed at 12:45 on Sunday morning,
accompanied by stringent preventive measures routinely undertaken in such
circumstances. Civil Guard officers and funeral service providers donned protective
biological clothing to ensure their safety during the process.
The Rocío del Mar neighbourhood, near to the Ferrís palm grove and the coastline, has
been recognised as one of Torrevieja's most tranquil and historical tourist enclaves.
However, the sombre incidents of individuals dying in isolation, their absence only
discerned after a significant time, has regrettably become a recurrent occurrence in
Torrevieja and its periphery. The Civil Guard has recorded approximately twenty
instances of such solitary deaths over a period of just over a year.
The revelation underscores the significance of fostering a sense of community
vigilance and connection, particularly in circumstances where individuals may be
struggling with physical and mental health conditions that impede their ability to reach
out for assistance. Authorities and local charities emphasise the need for neighbours
and acquaintances to be on the look out for any unusual or suspicious signs that might
indicate a person's wellbeing is compromised.
As the investigation into this disheartening occurrence continues, it serves as a
poignant reminder of the importance of social engagement and support networks in
ensuring the welfare of all members within a community.