KUALA LUMPUR – Former lecturer S. Karthigesu, who was at the centre of media and public attention over the murder of beauty queen Jean Perera Sinnappa in the late 1970s, died today, The Star reported.
The paper said that he passed away at his home in Teluk Pulai after his health worsened, causing him to be warded in a private hospital for several days before being discharged.
Karthigesu, 81, leaves behind his wife, two daughters and a son.
In a highly publicised case, Karthigesu was accused of murdering Jean at Batu 11 along the Federal Highway between 11.20pm and 11.50pm on April 6, 1979.
The trial was held at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, then in Jalan Raja, opposite Dataran Merdeka.
The yellow blouse Jean was wearing, full of blood, was used as evidence in the proceedings.
She had multiple stab wounds while lying on the front passenger seat of the car. However, no weapons were found and there were no witnesses to the murder.
A photograph showing Karthigesu next to the car was used as evidence. He was initially accused of the murder but later acquitted.
The 38-day trial involved 58 witnesses. One of the witnesses had said that he was passing along the Federal Highway at 11.20pm and saw two cars, Jean’s car and another with its lights off. There were three men standing there holding flashlights.
Karthigesu was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
However, four days later after the trial ended, a key witness appeared claiming that he lied during the trial.
The court immediately accepted the confession and released Karthigesu on May 20, 1981. – The Vibes, August 27, 2023
