KOTA KINABALU: A 68-year-old man who was reported missing several days ago is believed to have been murdered and then burnt.
This comes after the discovery of ashes and burnt bones believed to be the victim’s remains in a forest area in Kg Kipaliu, Ranau.Ranau police chief Deputy Supt Simiun Lomudin said a suspect, who is the victim’s nephew, was subsequently arrested.
He said a relative of the victim had lodged a police report on Thursday after stumbling upon the remains, believed to be human bones, in a pile of ashes.“This relative has reason to believe that the bones belonged to the man who went missing on April 16,” said DSP Simiun in a statement yesterday.
He added that the suspect, aged between 48 and 50, was arrested at about 10am yesterday to facilitate the investigation.DSP Simiun said the case is being investigated for murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.He also said the bone fragments will be sent to the Kota Kinabalu Chemistry Department for DNA analysis.
He urged the public to refrain from making speculations and asked those with information to contact the Ranau police headquarters at 088-875 222.
