SINGAPORE - They had known each other for about three decades, so when her next-door neighbour pleaded with her to go to her flat to check on her husband, Madam Lim was quick to oblige.

The 67-year-old, who declined to give her full name, saw the man lying motionless on a mattress in the living room of the maisonette in Block 222 Bishan Street 23.

The 73-year-old man was also not responsive.

His wife, who is in her 60s, had found him that way on Thursday evening (April 28) after returning home from work.

He was allegedly killed by a foreign domestic worker, who was later arrested. The maid had worked for the victim's family.

"We've known the family for almost 30 years and we'd say hello at the lift lobby each time. It's unthinkable," said Madam Lim in Mandarin.

The police said they were alerted to the incident at around 8.50pm on Thursday, and added that the victim was pronounced dead by paramedics.

The maid, who was not identified, will be charged in court on Saturday. If convicted, she faces the death penalty.

The unit was locked when The Straits Times visited the scene on Friday afternoon.

Neighbours said the maid was hired by the family around two years ago to look after the victim, who used a wheelchair.

Madam Lim said the maid was not in the flat when she went to the unit on Thursday and added that she could not tell if the victim had injuries.

Mrs Tan Hwee Yee, 60, who lives down the corridor from the victim's home on the eighth floor, said the victim needed a wheelchair after his health deteriorated in recent years.

"I cannot believe this happened. I'm sad, who wouldn't be. I have known them for 20 years and the man had a good temper," said Mrs Tan.

Another neighbour, who gave her name as Madam Foo, said the maid was a quiet person who would greet her each time they met at the lift lobby.

The 54-year-old added that she often spoke to the victim's wife as their children are in their 20s and around the same age.

• Additional reporting by Chong Xin Wei and Tasneem Begum