Malacca, January \(3^\text{rd}\). The body of an elderly shopaholic was found underneath a pile of clothing after she died of natural causes. Sherry Lim, a 77-year-old Nyonya, lived alone in a bungalow at Jonker Street and was said to have no relatives.
The State Police Department was told that Sherry refused to let her friends into her house as they think she realised it was getting out of control. She started going out in the morning and only coming back late at night and that eventually built up into an obsession of buying things. "It was unbelievable! Things were stacked up to the ceiling and you hardly see anything inside!" witnessed one of the passers-by.
Her friend Bhanuvali, 71, said that shopping gave her pleasure and she only bought things she really liked. Mr Bhanu last saw his friend was still fine the day they met as she happily bought another rustic French furniture online while they were eating.
Mr Bhanu called her twice in the following days and was worried when she did not respond. He even turned up at Malacca State hospital on 4 January, when she had an appointment. By that time, she was already dead. Neighbours were only made aware of her absence hen Lovinna Home Decor team came to deliver her last order submitted days before. They found out that the door was left ajar but she was not seen anywhere and they received no response. Concerned neighbours then called the police on 6 January.
Detective Baem Wong said that Miss Sherry's body was found in a bedroom under a pile of clothing and other items. Police had to return for a second search with two trucks and a skip due to large amount of personal property and boxes within. Pathologist Raisa Rahmat claimed that Miss Sherry died as a result of bronchial pneumonia and was obviously ill with a chest infection. She had probably collapsed and various items have fallen on her.
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