Two men allegedly hid the body of their friend in a bush after he was accidentally shot during a hunting trip, with the shocking incident only coming to light after the victim’s family reported him missing.
The victim, believed to be in his 50s, was found in a forested area in Kampung Takula, Sipitang, several days after the incident, which is believed to have occurred on 3 July. His body was already in the early stages of decomposition when police located it.
Sipitang District Police Chief Superintendent Awang Anak Suanda said the investigation began after the victim’s family lodged a missing person report when he failed to return home after leaving with two friends.
According to initial information, the three men had reportedly told family members they were going fishing. While the victim’s two companions returned home on Sunday, the victim never came back, prompting his family to file a police report on Tuesday.
Further investigations later revealed that the victim was believed to have been accidentally shot while the group was hunting. Acting on information gathered during the investigation, police arrested the victim’s two friends on Friday.
The suspects subsequently led investigators to a secluded area where they had allegedly concealed the victim’s body in nearby bushes. Police believe the pair panicked and decided to hide the body out of fear after the fatal shooting occurred.
Both suspects, who are also in their 50s, have been remanded to assist with the investigation. Police also seized two homemade bakakuk firearms believed to be linked to the case.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, while police continue to determine the full circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
