From sudden death to murder

KENINGAU: A parolee’s “sudden death” was reclassified as murder after the police here arrested his car wash workmate, who claimed that the victim had fallen and hit his head.

It is now believed that the man, who was on a conditional parole release from prison, could have been hit with a hard object by his colleague, who is also on a licensed parole in Sabah’s interior Keningau district.

Keningau OCPD Supt Yampil Garai said the 52-year-old victim died at Keningau Hospital after he fell unconscious while being rushed to the hospital by the 30-year-old suspect on Sunday.

The latter claimed that the victim had fallen and hit his head.

The victim was given initial treatment but died at about 11am on the same day. He also tested positive for Covid-19.

Supt Yampil said yesterday that the police had initially classified the case as sudden death but following a post-mortem and further investigation, it was reclassified as murder.

Police believe that the story about the victim sustaining injuries due to a fall was allegedly made up by the suspect to cover up a fight he had had with the victim.

“A post-mortem found that there was a bruise on the back of the victim’s head, the cause of which has to be ascertained.

“Scan results found that there were cracks in the skull that might have caused internal bleeding,” he said, adding that the suspect was subsequently arrested for questioning.

“We have seized a spade believed to have been used by the suspect during the incident,” he said.

According to Supt Yampil, the suspect was said to be unhappy with the victim for not pulling his weight at work and the two often quarrelled with each other.

Both men were still serving their term and released on a licensed parole under the supervision of the Keningau Prison office.

They were working at the same car wash service and staying at the quarters provided by their employer.

“The suspect was serving time for a drug-related case,” said Supt Yampil, adding that the investigation was ongoing.