Malaysian authorities reclassify death of 6-year-old autistic boy as murder

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA: The case involving the tragic death of Zayn Rayyan, a six-year-old autistic boy, has taken a distressing turn as it has now been reclassified as murder.

Authorities suspect that the young boy was not killed at the location where his body was discovered along the banks of a stream in Damansara Damai.

Instead, they believe he met his demise through strangulation elsewhere.

Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, the director of Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID), revealed that this suspicion arose from an extensive search conducted in collaboration with the local community.

The search spanned an area of 300 meters over two days, yet the child’s body remained elusive.

Only on the second night of the search was the tragic discovery made, raising the unsettling possibility that Zayn Rayyan was killed at a different location before his body was placed at the scene.

Shuhaily emphasized the significance of this finding, stating that it strongly indicates the boy’s death did not occur at the site.

The inference is supported by the post-mortem examination report, which provided additional indicators supporting the theory that the child was killed elsewhere.

The director concluded that their earlier suspicions have been validated by the conclusive information obtained from the post-mortem examination report, shedding light on the distressing circumstances surrounding Zayn Rayyan’s untimely demise, as reported by NST.

Signs suggest victim may have put up struggle against assailant

The autopsy conducted on six-year-old Zayn Rayyan has unveiled disturbing details, indicating that the young victim may have put up a struggle against his assailant.

According to statements made by Shuhaily, the director of Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the post-mortem findings revealed injuries consistent with strangulation, specifically compression to the neck.

Additionally, the examination uncovered other injuries believed to be defensive wounds, suggesting that Zayn Rayyan fought to protect himself.

Shuhaily emphasized the need to preserve the dignity of the deceased and respect the privacy of the grieving family, limiting the details shared with the public at this time.

However, he did disclose critical information, stating unequivocally that the confirmed cause of death was not drowning but rather strangulation.

The revelation adds a layer of distressing complexity to the case, raising concerns about the circumstances leading to Zayn Rayyan’s tragic demise.

In light of these findings, the investigation is likely to intensify as authorities work diligently to unravel the events that transpired leading up to the young boy’s death.

The defensive wounds noted in the autopsy suggest a harrowing struggle, prompting a deeper exploration into the motive and identity of the perpetrator.

Police chief reveals crucial details in autopsy

As reported by NST, Shuhaily provided additional insights into the investigation, revealing that the post-mortem examination indicated the likelihood that the victim, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, had succumbed within 48 hours of the discovery of his body.

Crucially, he eliminated drowning as a potential cause of death, emphasizing the importance of ruling out various possibilities to pinpoint the actual circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

As the authorities grapple with identifying the perpetrator, Shuhaily expressed caution, stating that it is premature to determine the suspect’s identity.

Nevertheless, he hinted at the likelihood that the assailant is familiar with the area where the crime took place, given the secluded nature of the location along the banks of the stream in Damansara Damai.

The director emphasized that the area was not heavily trafficked and seemed unfamiliar to most, raising suspicions about the perpetrator’s local knowledge.

Addressing the absence of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the area, Shuhaily acknowledged the limitations but assured that the police would revisit the location for a more thorough canvassing.

He stressed the urgency of retracing their steps, particularly now that the case has been officially classified as murder.

Regarding the victim’s injuries, Shuhaily shared that besides ligature wounds, there were apparent defensive wounds, highlighting the harrowing struggle Zayn Rayyan likely endured.

However, in consideration of the sensitivity of the matter, he opted not to delve into further details to protect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of the grieving family.

In an impassioned appeal to the public, Shuhaily urged residents to come forward with any information, no matter how small, emphasizing the gravity of the crime and the commitment of law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice.