Zayn Rayyan's death: Injuries lead police to suspect murder

 

Police believe Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, the six-year-old boy with autism who was found dead, had been murdered.

Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan told Malaysiakini the post-mortem revealed several injuries on his neck and body.

He said Zayn Rayyan was murdered some 24 hours before his remains were discovered at a river, about 200m from his home in Petaling Jaya last night.

"Police have reclassified investigation into the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

"There were injuries found on his neck and body, and we suspect there was foul play involved in his death," Hussein added.

The state police chief was tightlipped when asked about details of the injuries, but stated they were "new".

Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan

When asked if there were old injury marks found on the victim, Hussein replied in the negative.

So far, police have yet to have a suspect in their list. However, police are not ruling out any possibilities.

Hussein also declined to comment if police suspected that Zayn Rayyan was kidnapped before he was murdered.

"We are still investigating. Cannot say much at this juncture," he said.

Zayn Rayyan was last seen about noon on Tuesday near his family home at Idaman Apartment in Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya.

His mother realised that the boy had gone missing when she was taking the stairs to return to their house at Level 3. After her attempt to locate the boy was futile, a search party was mounted by authorities and local residents.

Prior to the discovery of his body last night, a team of 40 police personnel assisted by 60 residents of Idaman Apartment launched a door-to-door search mission covering 2,484 residential units across 18 blocks.

The search team also reportedly comprises Fire and Rescue Department personnel, Civil Defence Force and sniffer dogs from the police K9 unit, covering areas including surrounding bushes and drains.

Zayn Rayyan's body was discovered by a river about 10pm yesterday, and was initially presumed to have drowned. - Mkini