A woman whose body was found inside a suitcase floating in Sungai Perak near the Lembah Kuala Kangsar jetty on Friday is believed to have been murdered.
Kuala Kangsar district police chief Assistant Commissioner Heisham Harun said preliminary investigations indicated that the victim was believed to be in her 30s, but her identity had yet to be established.
“Police are investigating the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. The motive is still under investigation,” he said in a statement.
He said police received information about the discovery from a local man at about 3.12pm, after the man reported finding the body in the river near the jetty.
The victim’s body was subsequently taken to Taiping Hospital for further action, while investigators continued efforts to establish her identity and determine the circumstances surrounding her death.
Heisham urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward and contact the Kuala Kangsar District Police Headquarters at 05-776 2222 or the nearest police station.
He also advised the public against spreading speculation or making provocative statements that could interfere with the investigation.
Earlier, reports stated that a body believed to have been in the water for several days was discovered inside a suitcase wrapped in plastic packaging.
The discovery was reportedly made by a boat operator after the river’s water level dropped, making the suitcase more visible. The case has since been classified as murder as police work to uncover the circumstances behind the woman’s death.
