Three remanded after woman’s skeletal remains found

BATU PAHAT: Three men have been remanded to help with investigations after a woman’s skeletal remains were discovered in an abandoned house at Kampung Batu 7, Tongkang Pechah.

The remains are believed to be that of Mira Sharmila Samsusah.

The single mother, also known as Bella, was reported missing more than a month ago.

OCPD Asst Comm Ismail Dollah said police will now investigate the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

He said the three suspects, aged between 24 and 39, will be remanded for a week until Jan 27.

“The post-mortem was conducted by the Hospital Sultan Ismail Forensic Department this morning (yesterday).

“The pathology sample has been sent to the Chemistry Department to conduct DNA sequencing to identify the victim’s identity,” he said in a statement yesterday.

On Friday, police found partial human skeletal remains after the main suspect in the case led police to the location.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the remains were found with some clothes scattered around the area at about 2pm.

“It is still too early for us to confirm that the remains found are those of Bella.

“We will need to wait for the DNA analysis. Dental records will also be used,” he said, adding that it could take between a week and a month for the test results.

The case was previously classified under Section 365 of the same Act for kidnapping.

Previously, Bella was reported missing after she could not be contacted on Dec 14 last year.

Two police reports were then lodged by her family members on Dec 16 and 18.

Bella is said to have been in her boyfriend’s car and was last seen wearing a batik outfit to go to a nearby laundromat.

A man believed to be Bella’s boyfriend, 24, was among three people arrested over the case.