Suspect in missing Bella case leads cops to skeletal remains

BATU PAHAT: The police have found skeletal remains of a woman believed to be Mira Sharmila Samsusah, the single mother also known as Bella who was reported missing more than a month ago.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the main suspect in the case led police to the location where the human remains were found at about 2pm on Friday (Jan 19).

"We found incomplete human skeletal remains and some clothes scattered around the area.

"However, it is still too early for us to confirm that the remains found are really Bella's. We will need to wait for the DNA analysis. Dental records will also be used," he said in a press conference here on Friday (Jan 19).

Comm Kamarul Zaman said that it could take between a week and a month for the test results.

"We have also informed Bella's family and took them to the scene.

"However, we reminded them that nothing is confirmed yet as DNA and dental identification is still being carried out," he said, adding that the remains have been sent to Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI).

He added that if the remains are found to be of Bella's, the suspects involved will be charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. Currently, the case is classified under Section 365 of the same Act for kidnapping.

Previously, the single mother of two was reported missing after she could not be contacted on Dec 14. Two police reports were lodged by her family members on Dec 16 and 18 last year.

Bella is said to have been in her boyfriend's car at 11.50pm, and was wearing a batik outfit to go to a nearby laundromat. She then went missing.

A 24-year-old man, believed to be Bella's boyfriend, is among three people arrested in relation to the case.