Police believe the decomposed body discovered wrapped in a mattress with its hands tied inside a shophouse in Pokok Mangga last Thursday may belong to a close friend of the murder suspect who has already been arrested.
Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said fresh investigations revealed that the victim and the suspect were believed to have shared a close relationship, providing a significant new development in the shocking case.
According to preliminary findings, investigators suspect the fatal incident stemmed from a dispute triggered by misunderstandings and mutual accusations involving the suspect’s family while both men were allegedly under the influence of drugs.
However, authorities have yet to conclusively identify the victim. Dzulkhairi said a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis will be carried out with the victim’s family members to scientifically verify the deceased’s identity.
“The victim’s identity has not been fully confirmed and requires DNA matching with relatives for official identification,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
The suspect, a man in his 40s, has been remanded for seven days from May 29 until June 4 to assist police investigations. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Dzulkhairi also urged members of the public to refrain from making speculation that could interfere with the ongoing investigation.
Those with information related to the case have been asked to contact investigating officer Assistant Superintendent V Somsundram at 017-6954714.
The case first came to light after a landlord visited the rented unit when attempts to contact the tenant over several days proved unsuccessful. Upon entering the premises, the landlord discovered a badly decomposed body believed to have been dead for more than two weeks, wrapped in a mattress with its hands bound and left in the living room.
The gruesome discovery shocked the local community and led to the swift arrest of the suspect, with police continuing to piece together the events leading up to the alleged murder.
