SANDAKAN: A retired teacher who lived alone in an apartment unit here was found dead by his neighbour this morning.

The neighbour, who had noticed blood oozing from underneath the apartment’s front door and a strong stench emanating from the unit, alerted the police on the matter.

"Police managed to enter the apartment at around 10.30am with help from the Fire and Rescue department.

"The body of the 68-year-old man was found lying on the floor and was in a decomposed state," district police Chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Azhar Hamin said.

The neighbour had last seen the deceased on Sunday.

In a statement, the deceased's brother said that the bachelor lived alone and that the apartment had belonged to their late father.

He retired from teaching at SM St Cecillia in 2005 and suffered from a heart condition, he added.

Mohd Azhar said the body was sent to the mortuary unit at a district hospital for further action.

Initial investigation indicates that there was no foul play.