Police Detain Two Men In Sungai Dua Single Mother Murder Case

BUTTERWORTH, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Police have arrested two men to assist with the investigation into the murder of a woman at her first-floor residence in Flat Sri Murni, Sungai Dua here, yesterday.

Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the men were detained several hours after the incident within the district.

"The two suspects have been remanded today to assist the investigation, which is ongoing," he said when contacted by Bernama.

He said the police are still awaiting the post-mortem report from the victim's autopsy, which was carried out at Kepala Batas Hospital today. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Yesterday, the media reported that the 41-year-old victim was found lying on a bed in one of the rooms at the flat, with slash wounds to her neck.

It is understood that the incident was reported to police by a neighbour at 1.40 pm. after the victim, a single mother, was unresponsive. The front door to the property was found open, though the metal grille gate was locked.

She was reportedly employed to ferry several students living at the flat to school and lived with her 15-year-old son.

In a separate statement, Azizee confirmed the arrest of a third suspect, a Myanmar national, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to three.

He said following the discovery of the woman's body, a police team had detained three men, aged between 38 and 45, in the Bukit Mertajam and Kubang Semang areas within 24 hours. 

Azizee added that the preliminary investigation indicates at least one of the suspects was acquainted with the victim, and police are working to determine the exact motive for the crime.

"All three men have been remanded for seven days until Feb 11 to assist the investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

"One of the detainees has tested positive for ketamine. It is also believed that the two local suspects know each other," he said.

-- BERNAMA