THE remains of a 10-year-old boy reported missing after a river incident earlier this week have been discovered some 23 kilometres from where he was last seen, following a grim find prompted by a strong odour along a riverbank.
The skeletal remains, believed to be those of Muhammad Aidan Ridwan Abdullah, were found at about 4.30pm yesterday near Sungai Sigapon after a man fishing in the area detected a strong smell and moved closer to investigate.
Keningau district police chief Superintendent Yampil Anak Garai said authorities received information on the discovery at 9.17pm, after which a team was dispatched to the scene.
“Investigations found that the human skeletal remains discovered are believed to belong to a child who was previously reported to have drowned on March 24 in Sungai Pagalan, Sook.
“The location where the remains were found in Sungai Sigapon is estimated to be about 23 kilometres from the original site where the victim was reported to have drowned,” he said in a statement today.
He said further examination revealed that the remains were incomplete and are believed to have been partially consumed by wild animals.
“The remains, along with fragments of skin and tissue, were collected before being taken to the Forensic Unit at Hospital Keningau for further action,” he said.
He added that identification was carried out by the boy’s mother at 3pm yesterday, confirming the remains as her son based on dental structure.
The discovery brings a sombre development to the incident reported on March 24, when a 60-year-old man, Fredoline Yariki, and his grandson were reported missing while inspecting a boat along Sungai Pagalan near Taman Bersatu in Keningau.
The elderly man was later found drowned in Sungai Banjar, Mempikit, at about 5.21pm the following day by villagers, while his grandson is believed to have been swept away by strong currents before the remains were eventually located downstream. - March 29, 2026
