Kota Kinabalu: Police have reclassified the disappearance of 11-year-old Nurjilya Abdullah as a murder investigation following the discovery of her body near a house under construction in Kampung Numbak, Sepanggar, on Wednesday night.
Acting City opolice chief Supt Syed Lot Syed Ab Rahman said the body, found at about 10.38pm on July 15, was in an advanced state of decomposition and was identified by the victim's mother based on the clothing she was wearing when she was reported missing on July 13.
A post-mortem found the girl is believed to have died from injuries to the face and back of the head, which are suspected to have been inflicted with a hard, blunt object.
Police have arrested two men to assist in the investigation and will apply for a remand order, while the motive is still under investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code, and police have urged anyone with information to contact investigating officer ASP La Paula Abd Muis at 013-514 9490 or the nearest police station.
