ALOR STAR: Police have discovered the body of a 2-year-old boy on Pantai Leman beach, Kuala Kedah, believed to be the third victim in a murder case involving a foreign suspect.
The suspect, a 34-year-old Myanmar national, is alleged to have slashed the throats of his 34-year-old wife and their 10-year-old daughter before abandoning their bodies in a drain near an abandoned building along Sultan Abdul Halim Highway.
Kedah deputy police chief Deputy Commissioner Adzli Abu Shah said that the boy, who had similar injuries to the other victims, was found on the beach around noon today.
The suspect's 5-year-old son was rescued after police apprehended the suspect at a mosque near Bukit Pinang, 17km from where the two bodies were discovered.
Police initially suspected there might be another child unaccounted for, which led them to search for the missing 2-year-old.
"Upon finding the boy's body at Pantai Leman, Kuala Kedah, we believe it to be the suspect's son due to the matching injuries. We are currently conducting a DNA test to confirm the boy's identity," Adzli said at a press conference.
The rescued 5-year-old has been placed under the care of the Child Intensive Care (CIC) Unit due to signs of mental stress and trauma, though no physical abuse marks were evident.
"There are no visible signs of physical abuse, but the child appears deeply traumatised, possibly from witnessing the tragic events. The CIC team, including psychologists, will work with him to ensure accurate testimony when he is ready," he said.
The suspect, who tested positive for substance abuse involving three different drugs, is currently under a seven-day remand to aid in the investigation.
"This case is confirmed as a domestic issue and not linked to any organised or serial criminal activity," Adzli said.
The investigation is ongoing under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Adzli urged the public to refrain from speculating, which could cause unnecessary anxiety.
Earlier, the suspect was remanded until Aug 26 under Section 302 for the murder of his wife and
daughter.
Kota Setar district police chief Assistant Commissioner Siti Nor Salawati Saad, said the foreigner was detained at a mosque in Bukit Pinang at 9pm yesterday.