A bittersweet ending to the Zayn Rayyan murder probe for Bukit Aman CID director

KUALA LUMPUR: For Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, the Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin murder case had a bittersweet ending.

"We are so close yet so far," said the Bukit Aman CID director after the prosecution decided to charge the dead boy's parents with child negligence instead of murder.

He said the charge was decided following a discussion between the police and the Attorney General's Chambers.

Speaking to a press conference at Bukit Aman on Thursday (June 13), Comm Shuhaily, however, commended his men for carrying out the investigation with perseverance and dignity.

"They worked day and night in carrying out their responsibility.

"They should be given commendation after fulfilling their duties in the span of a long time," he said.

On May 31, Zayn Rayyan's parents were arrested at Puncak Alam at about 11am and held under remand to assist the police investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

On Dec 5, last year, Zayn Rayyan was reported missing in Damansara Damai and his body was found near a stream about 200m from his home at the Idaman Apartment the next day.

A post-mortem revealed injuries to his neck and body, leading to the conclusion that he had been killed.

During the investigation, police forensic teams combed the location where the body was found as well as the surrounding areas in Damansara Damai.

A mass DNA screening was also conducted, and 228 samples were collected.

Witnesses, including those who claimed to have last seen the autistic child alive, were also brought to the scene to assist investigators.

Zayn Rayyan murder by The Star