MARANG: The suspect detained to help investigations into a woman found dead in a bush in Kampong Alor Gali, here, last Thursday, is a close relative of the victim.
Marang police chief Deputy Superintendent Mohd Zain Mat Dris said the 59-year-old suspect was the last person seen with the victim, identified as Zarina Mukhtar, 57, according to public information.
He said investigators learned that the victim took a bus from Kuala Lumpur before the suspect took her to Kampung Rhu Rengeh, here at 10am on Jan 16.
"We believe that the suspect was the last person seen with the victim and the public saw the suspect driving a dark-coloured car.
"We also believe the victim died elsewhere and her body was then dumped in Kampong Alor Gali," he said at a press conference, here, today.
Zain said police believe the victim had died no less than 36 hours before she was found based on the condition of the body.
He said they believed the victim travelled to Kuala Lumpur to look for work but was duped before returning to Terengganu.
"The victim, a person with a hearing disability, was a single mother with a child.
"She was buried at the Kampung Makam Kepong Muslim Cemetery, Kuala Terengganu," he said.
The body with no identification documents was found by people looking for palas leaves in a bush 30m from the main road.
Earlier this morning, a retiree was remanded to aid in investigation following the discovery of Zarina's body.
The suspect was arrested around 2.30pm yesterday in Jeli, Kelantan.
Marang Magistrate Zur Azureen Zainalkefli granted a seven-day remand from today to next Wednesday and the case will be investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
