NO FOUL PLAY IN TRIPLE DEATHS
Cause of death to be confirmed after completion of toxicology report
APOST-MORTEM on the bodies of three family members who drowned in Sungai Arau on Wednesday found no signs of foul play, said Perlis police chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Noor Mushar Mohamed.
However, the cause of death could be confirmed only after a toxicology report was completed by the Chemistry Department in the next few days, he said yesterday.
The post-mortems on the bodies of Norzalina Baharom, 35, her mother, Norma Pin, 64, and her father, Baharom Ahmad, 66, at the Forensic Unit of Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star were completed on Friday.
Their bodies were found between 8.35am and 12.10pm on Friday. Baharom’s body was found at a sluice gate of Sungai Tambun Tulang in Simpang Empat, Norma’s in Sungai Tambun Tulang and Norzalina’s in Sungai Arau near Kampung Belat Batu.
Police obtained a remand order on Thursday to detain the couple’s son, Mohd Zali, 37, who swam to safety after plunging into the Sungai Arau with his three family members, to assist investigations into the case.
According to Mohd Zali, the three had committed suicide by drinking poison and plunging into the river in Kampung Bakong Arau at 2.45am on Wednesday.
Noor Mushar said the bodies were identified by Norzalina’s husband, Othman Ramli, 39, and Norma’s grandniece, Nor Malia Ahmad, 31.