The mystery surrounding the disappearance of a man reported missing since July 3 was finally solved after police discovered his body wrapped in canvas in a forest near Kampung Takula, Sipitang.
The victim is believed to have died after being accidentally shot while on a fishing and hunting trip with two friends before his body was allegedly abandoned about one kilometre from the village.
Sipitang District Police Chief Superintendent Awang Anak Suand said the case was initially investigated as a missing person report after the victim’s family lodged a police report on July 8 when they were unable to contact him.
Following investigations, police questioned two local men in their 50s, whose statements eventually led officers to the location of the victim’s body hidden in the forest.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly wrapped the body in canvas after panicking and fearing the consequences following the fatal incident.
Police also seized two homemade bakakuk firearms believed to be linked to the case to assist with ongoing investigations.
Both suspects have been remanded and are being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Investigators are continuing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting, including how the victim sustained the fatal gunshot wound.
Police said the victim had left for the forest with the two suspects on July 3 for a fishing and hunting trip. However, only the two men returned home on July 5 without him, prompting concern from the victim’s family.
The arrests ultimately led to the discovery of the body, bringing an end to the missing person investigation and uncovering what police now believe to be a homicide case.
