THE search for the final two missing body parts of a woman murdered and dismembered in Sepanggar, Sabah remains at a standstill, with authorities conceding that the remains may have been carried off by scavengers or buried deep within refuse.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun stated that despite intensive efforts, investigators have yet to secure fresh leads regarding the location of the victims left leg and right arm.
“Efforts to trace two more body parts of the deceased are still ongoing, but so far we have not found any clues, Jauteh said during a press conference at the Ranau District Police Headquarters.
“We believe there is a high probability that the missing parts were taken by dogs or wild animals, or perhaps mixed in with the rubbish. Nevertheless, the search continues.”
The grim discovery was initially made on February 12 at Taman Indah Permai, where the victims remains were found discarded at a trash collection point.
The investigation has since led to the arrest of a 71-year-old man, identified as the victim’s fiancé, as the primary suspect.
Police have also detained three of the suspects children to assist with the probe, which is reportedly motivated by a dispute over finances and the victims alleged intention to marry another individual.
Jauteh confirmed that the legal process is moving forward swiftly despite the missing remains.
“The investigation is now in its final stages before the investigation paper is submitted to the public prosecutor,” he explained.
Several arrests have been made, mostly involving family members of the main suspect to assist in the investigation.
The remand for the suspects is still ongoing. Now, the investigation is at the final stage for us to send to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further instructions.
As the suspect remains in custody, the family of the victim continues to grapple with the reality of an incomplete burial.
The victims’ children previously expressed their heartbreak over the missing limbs, with one son identifying his mother’s remains at the scene during the early stages of the recovery. - February 22, 2026
