Schoolgirl's death caused by blunt trauma to the head, cops confirm

 

The tragic death of a 16-year-old schoolgirl in Yong Peng, Johor was caused by blunt force trauma to the head, police said today.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director M Kumar (above) said the cause of Irene Sofiya Khairool Faisal’s death was confirmed through a post-mortem conducted at the Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital in Batu Pahat yesterday, Berita Harian reported.

The police had since detained a 16-year-old boy in connection with the case, with the arrest made on the day of the incident.

"The suspect is now held under a six-day remand from Oct 4 to 9 after the remand application against him was approved by the magistrate.

"The case is being investigated by the Batu Pahat district police headquarters’ Criminal Investigation Division under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder," Kumar added.

Assuring that the investigations are being conducted thoroughly, Kumar urged the public to refrain from speculating on the matter as it could interfere with the course of the probe.

A grieving father’s vow

Meanwhile, Irene's father, Khairool Faisal Khyar, vowed to seek justice for his late daughter.

The grieving father said he would continue fighting for her, but appealed for public support as the family comes to terms with the loss.

"I will continue to fight... (but) I need the support of everyone, for my daughter's sake.

"We hope whoever is responsible receives an appropriate punishment. We leave it entirely to the authorities to conduct the investigation," New Straits Times quoted him as saying.

Recalling the incident, Khairool said he only learned of his daughter’s fate after receiving a call from his sister, Siti Nur Faeza Khyar, 45, at about 6pm on Oct 3.

He said he was working in Bangi at the time and immediately rushed back to his hometown after receiving the news.

“I last saw Fiya (Irene) two weeks ago. She was cheerful then and enjoying her studies,” he added.

Irene was found unconscious inside a school hall in Yong Peng after she failed to turn up for extra classes.

Nur Faeza said her mother, Irene’s classmates and she rushed to the school after being alerted by the teenager’s friends.

They found Irene (above) lying on the floor of the school hall, covered in blood but still responsive.

“However, when the ambulance and police arrived, she had already died when they checked her pulse, and her hands had also started to feel cold,” Nur Faeza said.

The tragedy has since sparked widespread concern, with Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek vowing firm action against the security company contracted to provide security at the school. - Mkini