POLICE have resumed their search for evidence at the Damansara Damai site where autistic child Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin's body was found.
The boy is suspected to have been murdered.
Berita Harian reported officers from Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and from the Petaling Jaya police headquarters arrived at the scene at 9.30am.
The six-year-old’s body was found in a drainage stream near a water reservoir 200m from his family home at the Apartment Idaman residential complex.
The team conducted a re-investigation at the location last night before the operation was resumed this morning.
The search was also expanded along the drainage system near the apartment complex.
The press gathered at the location where the body was found to gain an update on the progress of investigations.
CID director Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said last night Zayn was believed to have been murdered elsewhere.
He said post-mortem results showed he had died within 48 hours before his body was found.
“Based on autopsy findings, we concluded the victim did not die at the scene.
“Maybe at another place before his body was placed there. For sure, he did not die of drowning,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters.
Shuhaily said the post-mortem showed the victim suffered injuries while trying to defend himself, apart from injuries on his neck and body.
He said preliminary investigations showed the stream was not near usual community routes. Police have not ruled out the possibility the suspect was familiar with the location.
He said police have not ruled out the possibility the suspect or suspects were from the area.
Meanwhile, Sinar Harian reported the police were also scanning CCTV recordings to gather evidence.
“What I can say is that the investigation involves all elements … including CCTV reviews.
Petaling Jaya assistant police commissioner Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid said: “However, I cannot divulge everything because it could interfere with the investigation. We will inform you later if there are any developments.”
Police have recorded statements from the boy’s parents.
The probe showed Zayn Rayyan’s manner of death was consistent with what would be classified as murder.
Yesterday, Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan announced the case was being investigated under section 302 of the penal code, which relates to murder.
His mother, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 28, earlier sought public help via Facebook to look for her son.
Her post said her son was walking behind her after school to their apartment in Damansara Damai.
But when she turned around, he had disappeared, and she did not hear him running off, she said. – The Vibes, December 8, 2023.
