A 41-YEAR-OLD man has been detained after his girlfriend died in hospital following an alleged assault believed to have occurred during a disagreement between them.
The 44-year-old woman was rushed by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital I (HQEI) in Kota Kinabalu in an unconscious state on Aug 31.
She was pronounced dead later that night while undergoing treatment.
Penampang district police chief Superintendent Sammy Newton said the suspect, a local man believed to have been in a relationship with the victim, was arrested after the district Criminal Investigation Division (BSJD) launched an investigation into the death.
“Initial investigations found that the incident was suspected to have stemmed from a disagreement between the victim and the suspect, before the woman was allegedly assaulted,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Newton said BSJD Penampang, assisted by the Forensic Division (D10) of the Sabah Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ), also conducted an inspection at the scene.
Several items and related samples were recovered for further investigation and forensic analysis, he said.
“The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code. Investigations are still ongoing.
“All parties are urged not to make any speculation or conclusions regarding the incident until the investigation is completed and the legal process has concluded,” he said.
He urged anyone with information on the incident to contact investigating officer Assistant Superintendent Mohd Hairie Awang Akub at 016-8032849 or approach the nearest police station. -September 3, 2026
