KUANTAN: The suspect in the murder of 37-year-old food trader Norshamira Zainal pawned her gold bracelet in Terengganu, say the police.
Kuantan OCPD Asst Comm Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said initial investigations revealed that the main motive for the murder was robbery, with the suspect taking jewellery before fleeing.
Sinar Harian reported ACP Wan Mohd Zahari adding that the bracelet pawned might be worth around RM30,000.
"We also seized a ring, cash, clothing, and documents to assist the investigation."
Further investigations are being conducted to determine the exact amount of jewellery pawned," he said on Sunday (Feb 16).
He added that the process of recording statements from the suspect and several key witnesses began on Sunday.
"The suspect was remanded on Saturday (Feb 15), and today we will start the detailed investigation process. Once all procedures are completed, a detailed statement regarding the case will be announced," said ACP Wan Mohd Zahari.
The 53-year-old suspect was arrested in a raid at a house in the Wakaf Tembusu residential area, Gong Badak, Kuala Terengganu, around 5.30am on Saturday.
Magistrate Nor Izzati Zakaria granted a remand application for seven days from Saturday to February 21 to allow further investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
Earlier reports indicated that Norshamira's body was found by the river near the Tanjung Lumpur Bridge on Thursday (Feb 13), and further investigations revealed evidence of a crime on the victim's body.
The victim, who managed cash-on-delivery food transactions, was said to have left home to deliver crispy anchovy sambal to a customer who was also the suspect in the brutal murder.
The victim's husband, Muhammad Afiq Akmal Nudin, 31, did not expect the friendly and seemingly kind suspect to be capable of killing his wife.
