.png)
SHAH ALAM - The disappearance of a 10-year-old girl in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, has ended in tragedy after her body was discovered in a bushy hillside area at Kampung Numbak, Sepanggar, three days after she was reported missing.
The body of the victim, identified as Nurjilya Abdullah, who had been missing since July 13, was found near a house under construction on Wednesday night.
Police believed the girl was murdered after a post-mortem examination found injuries believed to have been caused by a hard and blunt object.
The police received information from a member of the public at about 10.38pm on Wednesday regarding a body found in a steep and overgrown area on a hill near Kampung Numbak.
Acting Kota Kinabalu district police chief Superintendent Syed Lot Syed Ab Rahman said a forensic team was immediately sent to the location to conduct preliminary investigations.
He said the body was already in a state of decomposition when it was found.
The victim’s identity was later confirmed by her mother, who recognised the clothes worn by Nurjilya when she was reported missing.
“Identification was made by the victim’s mother based on the clothing worn by the victim when she was reported missing,” Syed Lot said in a statement on Thursday.
Post-mortem reveals suspected blunt force injuries
A post-mortem examination conducted by a forensic medical specialist found that Nurjilya’s death was believed to have been caused by serious injuries to her face and the back of her head.
Police said the injuries were believed to have been caused by a hard, blunt object.
The findings shifted the investigation from a missing person case to a murder probe, with police opening an investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Two men arrested to assist investigations
Following the information gathered during the investigation, police arrested two men believed to have information related to the case.
The duo, a foreign national and a local, were remanded for seven days, from Friday to assist in the investigation into the murder of the girl.
The remand order for the two suspects, aged 39 and 42, was issued by the Kota Kinabalu magistrate's court until July 24.
Syed Lot said police are gathering evidence, including statements from witnesses and other information that could assist in solving the case.
Authorities have urged the public not to speculate or spread unverified information that could interfere with the investigation.
“We advise the public not to make any speculation or spread unverified information until the investigation is completed,” he said.
Police are also asking those with information related to the case to contact investigating officer ASP La Paula Abd Muis at 013-5149490 or visit the nearest police station.
