Autopsy reveals no foul play in Marudi custodial death

An autopsy into a 50-year-old man who died in police custody on Monday did not find any signs of injury that may point to criminal elements, said the police force’s Integrity and Standards Compliance Department director Azri Ahmad.

He said this was the finding of the autopsy carried out at Miri Hospital yesterday.

“The cause of death is intra-abdominal haemorrhage due to (ruptured) liver cirrhosis. The death is classified as sudden death,” he said in a statement last night.

Azri said a Covid-19 test was also carried out on the deceased but the result was negative.

“The Integrity and Standards Compliance Department’s criminal and custodial death investigation unit at Bukit Aman will continue investigations from various angles before submitting findings to the coroner,” he said.

Chest pain

Liver cirrhosis refers to scarring of the liver due to long-term damage caused by disease or excessive alcohol consumption.

The scar tissue can, in turn, restrict blood flow in the liver, increase blood pressure in blood vessels leading to the liver, and the risk that those blood vessels could bleed.

“(The resultant) gastrointestinal bleeding is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention. If left untreated, it can be life-threatening,” according to an article by Healthline on the condition.

Earlier, it was reported that the man was arrested for alleged criminal intimidation, but later complained of chest pain while on the way to the Marudi police district headquarters.

He was then rushed to Klinik Kesihatan Beluru but was confirmed dead by the clinic's medical assistant at 10.30pm that day.

It was not clear from Azri’s statement whether the person was dead on arrival. - Mkini