SEREMBAN: The three family members whose bodies were found decomposed in a rented single-storey house in Taman Bukit Kristal near here had always kept to themselves.

According to neighbours who spoke on condition of anonymity, the family had lived in the neighbourhood for several years and stayed indoors most of the time.

They said the 61-year-old man, his 59-year-old wife and 30-year-old son had never mingled with them.

A foul stench coming from the family’s house led to the discovery of their remains on Tuesday.

“The three of them would go out together. I never had a friendly conversation with them.

“I actually lodged a police report against them for threatening to hit my dog with a stick.

“They, too, had lodged a report against me, alleging that I had intimidated them,” said a neighbour, adding that he last saw the family on Saturday morning.

Tracing clues: Medical and police forensic teams leaving the house after concluding their investigation.

He said although they were not on good terms, he still cared about their wellbeing, and alerted the police about the smell emanating from their house.

Another neighbour, who rescues stray dogs, said the man had previously lodged a report against her for keeping several rescued puppies.

“I understand why he did that as I was told his wife had some medical problems.

“The family used to feed monkeys in the jungle behind their homes,” she said, adding that the couple’s son was autistic and never left home without his parents.

Seremban OCPD Asst Comm Mohammad Hatta Che Din said a police team was deployed to the location on Tuesday after they received a report from a neighbour.

After cutting open the padlock, police found decomposing bodies in two bedrooms.

ACP Mohammad Hatta said a forensic examination found a cut on the son’s right arm while there were no suspicious signs on the couple.

Police also found four knives with bloodstains and various types of medicine on a table in the living room.

It is also learnt that the mother and son had been receiving medical treatment for some time and had been issued with OKU (disabled person) cards.

Police also confirmed finding a note in the house, written in English with the full names and identity card numbers of the family.

ACP Mohammad Hatta said the remains have been sent to Hospital Rembau for a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.

Meanwhile, the police forensic and medical teams returned to the house yesterday to look for clues. They spent about two hours scouring the premises.

A car belonging to the family was also seen parked along the road.

Those with information on the case should contact investigating officer Insp Adi Khusaini Saripudin at 012-770 7282 or the district police station hotline at 06-603 3222.

For now, the case has been classified as sudden death.

Those suffering from mental health issues or are contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Sup­port Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim’s Family, Social and Com­mu­nity care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); and Befrien­ders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929, go to www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers and operating hours, or e-mail sam@befrienders.org.my.