Missing 11-year-old girl found dead in Malaysia's Kota Kinabalu, two men arrested

MALAYSIA: An 11-year-old girl who was reported missing for three days was found dead in a bushy hillside area in Kampung Numbak, Kota Kinabalu, on Wednesday (15 July 2026) night.

The victim, identified as Nurjilya Abdullah, was found near a house under construction on a slope covered with bushes.

Acting Kota Kinabalu district police chief Superintendent Syed Lot Syed Ab Rahman said police received information from members of the public regarding the discovery at about 10.38 pm.

“Initial examination at the scene by the forensic team found that the victim’s body was already decomposed,” he said in a statement on Thursday, as reported by Sinar Harian.

Identity confirmed by mother

The victim’s identity was later confirmed by her mother based on the clothing she was wearing when she was reported missing.

According to police, a post-mortem examination conducted by a forensic medical specialist found that the cause of death was believed to be injuries to the face and the back of the head.

Police said the injuries were suspected to have been caused by impact from a hard and blunt object.

Two men arrested

Following information gathered during the investigation, police arrested two men to assist with inquiries into the case.

Syed Lot said both suspects would be brought to court for a remand application to allow further investigations to continue.

The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Police urge against speculation

Police said the motive behind the incident has not been established and investigations are ongoing, including efforts to gather witness statements and collect relevant evidence.

Authorities urged members of the public not to speculate or spread unverified information that could affect the investigation.