THE lead forensic pathologist who examined schoolgirl Zara Qairina Mahathir after her death stood by her opinion in the Coroner’s Court that the 13-year-old’s injuries were consistent with a fall from height.
Taking the stand as the inquest’s first witness, Dr Jessie Hiu said the hostel’s third-floor corridor railing measured 118cm, while Zara was 154cm tall.
She noted this means the barrier reached above her centre of gravity, making it highly unlikely she could have simply toppled over.
“Based on the measurements, in my opinion, it is unlikely that the deceased accidentally fell or was pushed from a standing position next to the concrete railing along the corridor,” she said, reading from her witness statement.
Hiu told the court that while it was possible for Zara to cross the barrier by climbing, a fall from a natural standing position was not plausible.
Her post-mortem examination recorded six antemortem injuries - injuries sustained while Zara was alive.
These included a head wound with bleeding on the brain, fractures and dislocation in her left wrist and forearm, abrasions on her elbow, and multiple leg fractures including both tibias and her left heel.
Internal findings revealed broken lumbar vertebrae, a pelvic haematoma and bleeding in the psoas muscle.
She also noted a fractured sternum but explained this was a post-mortem fracture, meaning it occurred after death. No trauma was found in Zara’s chest or abdomen, nor any signs of genital or anal injuries.
Piecing together the sequence, Hiu said Zara likely landed first on her left foot, then her right, before falling backwards and striking her head.
“Following the impact, she fell backward, predominantly onto her left side, sustaining injuries to her left wrist, left forearm, left elbow, and the back of her head,” she added.
When pressed by Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Badiuszaman Ahmad on whether the distribution of injuries suggested physical abuse, Hiu dismissed the idea.
She explained that assault cases usually leave injuries scattered across the body and in different stages of healing, unlike Zara’s grouped injuries which matched two mechanisms of a fall: direct impact on landing and deceleration causing internal bleeding, particularly in the brain.
Zara was found critically injured on July 16 and died the next day in hospital from severe traumatic brain injury.
Her body was later exhumed and a post-mortem was conducted on August 9, after the Attorney General’s Chambers ordered the procedure.
The inquest is being heard before Sessions Court judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan as coroner.
State Prosecution Director Nahra Dollah is leading the case with DPP Badiuszaman Ahmad.
Zara’s family is represented by Sherzali Asli, Nurul Rafeeqa Afdul Mutolip and Clarice Vyonne Conrad, while five accused children are defended by separate counsels.
About 68 witnesses, including more than 30 children, are expected to give evidence.
A visit to the religious school in Papar, where Zara was found, has been scheduled for September 11.
The court adjourned at 4.45pm and will reconvene tomorrow morning. - September 3, 2025
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