KOTA KINABALU: A trail of tiny footprints led to a tragic discovery, as the lifeless body of a missing six-year-old autistic boy was found in a lake just metres from his home.
Mohammad Aqeef Al Tarmiezy Arman had vanished around 2pm Saturday (June 21) while playing near the lake.
An extensive search by police, firefighters and villagers ended in heartbreak when signs of the boy were found nearly seven hours later at 8.45pm.
Following the trail, they found the boy's body submerged in a swampy section of the water, only 100m from his house in Kampung Putih, Menggaris in Kinabatangan.
Kinabatangan Fire and Rescue Department station chief Hairi Utoh said a distress call had been made at 5.10pm, prompting a rescue team to scour the area.
The search was temporarily called off at 7pm, but determined villagers continued the effort, ultimately finding the boy.
His remains have been handed over to the police.
