Dead pensioner was 'Mr Lonely'

Robert Roll had no one.

A week after the disability pensioner's skeletal remains were found in his central city flat, police have been unable to track down any relatives or close friends.

His lonely death has shocked neighbours and the Department of Housing is under fire for failing to realise the 75-year-old had been dead for almost two years, despite its city office being next door to his State-owned home and residents raising concerns about his welfare.

The department's policy is to visit properties annually but Housing Minister Troy Buswell revealed the last inspection of Mr Roll's home was in March 2009.

And the department had not spoken to the pensioner, who lived in State-owned housing since 1987, since some time later that year.

No alarm bells were raised about rent because payments were automatically deducted from the bank account into which Mr Roll's Centrelink payments were deposited.

Power to his unit was disconnected about April last year because his bills were unpaid but police believe he was already dead by then.

It is understood Mr Roll had cancer and died of natural causes.

He possibly died in July 2009 but police are still doing forensic tests.

Mr Roll moved to Australia from Newcastle in north-east England and may have lived in WA for several decades but little else is known about him.

Neighbours described him as quiet but friendly, with one woman saying she would sometimes join him for a drink in the city.

Det-Sen. Sgt Neville Beard, from the coronial investigation unit, said detectives were doing all they could to identify the man's relatives and had asked British authorities for help.

"It's a sad set of circumstances that someone would pass away and not be noticed," he said.

"We would like to try to give this gentleman a little dignity in his death."

Mr Buswell said he hoped the tragic incident would make people aware of the plight of those who lived alone.

"In many ways it's a sad reflection on our society that people can be so isolated in our community that they can pass away and no one notices for 18 months," he said.

People living in the Wellington Street apartment block say that because of past trouble, it is the kind of place where residents keep to themselves.

Yet some neighbours did try to alert the department about concerns for Mr Roll's welfare.

Residents who lived on the same floor and another neighbour urged the department for at least a year to check on him after noticing his mail pile up and power to the flat become disconnected.

Shadow housing minister Mark McGowan said it was inexcusable the department had not acted on neighbours' concerns when it had staff in a building next door. After one woman's second call in six weeks, the department last week went into Mr Roll's home.

His body was on the floor, slumped against his bed.

His one-bedroom flat had few personal possessions.

Mr Buswell is waiting on a report from the department about whether it had any records of neighbours' concerns and if it took any action.

He also wants answers about why the department failed to inspect Mr Roll's flat last year and details of its procedures after revealing an employee who tried to check on Mr Roll in April simply left a card when he did not answer the door.

Mr Buswell is considering introducing welfare checks for elderly and vulnerable social housing tenants.

"None of that would have prevented the unfortunate passing of Mr Roll but of course it would have led to the earlier uncovering of his body," he said.

Coronial investigation officer Det-Const. Paul Cassidy urged anyone who knew Mr Roll or could provide contact details for relatives to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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