Residents in the Villa community were left distressed on Tuesday after the decomposing body of longtime resident Henry Waterman was discovered inside his home.

Waterman, a Barbadian national and former teacher at Mary E. Pigott Primary School, had reportedly lived in Antigua and Barbuda for several years.

Neighbours said he had been facing health and personal challenges and had become increasingly withdrawn in recent years.

Concern grew after food left outside his home by a relative on Monday remained untouched the following day. Residents also reported a strong odour and an unusual number of flies around the property.

Checks were later carried out at the residence, where Waterman’s body was found in an advanced state of decomposition.

Police and a district doctor responded to the scene, and he was pronounced dead. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.