KUALA LUMPUR: Police are probing the victim’s ex-husband and a financial dispute between the pair as a possible motive in the murder of a woman whose body was found stuffed in a bag and buried behind an unoccupied house in Kampung Batu 4, Pedas, Negri Sembilan.
Negri Sembilan deputy police chief Datuk Idzam Jaafar said preliminary investigations indicated the couple had argued over financial matters shortly before the woman was believed to have been killed.
He confirmed that the victim’s ex-husband was arrested at Genting Sempah yesterday evening.
“Initial investigations revealed a dispute over financial matters. The post-mortem confirmed that the victim died from strangulation,” he said.
However, Idzam said police have yet to conclusively verify the woman’s identity, as the condition of the remains requires further forensic examination and DNA analysis.
Police are continuing efforts to establish the victim’s identity.
Earlier yesterday, police also detained a second suspect, a 41-year-old man, in Melaka to assist in the investigation. Checks showed that the man has six prior criminal records involving various offences, including drug-related cases.
“Investigations are ongoing to determine his level of involvement, if any,” Idzam added.
The body was discovered on Wednesday after police from Negri Sembilan and Selangor searched an unoccupied house along the Pedas–Linggi road, following a missing person’s report lodged in Ampang, Selangor, on Monday.
Negri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad had earlier said the remains were believed to match the description of a woman reported missing from Ampang since Dec 8.
The ex-husband has been remanded to assist investigations, which are being conducted under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
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