German tourist found dead at budget hotel

GEORGE TOWN: A German tourist has been found dead with head injuries at a budget hotel in a popular enclave for backpackers here. A hotel caretaker discovered the body of male nurse Brill Martin Leonhard, 46, at his room in the hotel in Love Lane.

Police have temporarily ruled out foul play, believing that Leonhard could have hit his head against the wall of the hotel room before he died.

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Anuar Omar said yesterday that they found blood stains on the wall of the room where Leonhard was staying.

“We also found a doctor’s letter which certified that he had been suffering from major depression and psychiatric disorder,” ACP Anuar added.

ACP Anuar said Leonhard first checked into the hotel on Nov 12, and started behaving weirdly on the fourth day of his stay.

“The hotel caretaker said he did not want to have meals and was addicted to alcohol.

“He eased himself on the floor, threw all his old clothes away and covered himself with only bedsheets.

“He also refused to leave the hotel room and often tripped and fell in the hotel.

“The closed circuit television (CCTV) recordings at the hotel have proven all these,” said ACP Anuar.

According to the hotel caretaker, ACP Anuar said the victim also claimed that he was sad after both his younger brother and sister died in a road accident two months ago in Germany.

“He also hinted to the hotel caretaker that he wanted to take his own life,” said ACP Anuar.

Those in trouble and in need of someone to talk to can call the Befrienders at 04-2815161/1108 in Penang, 05-5477933/955 in Ipoh, 06-2842500 in Melaka, 06-765 3588/89 in Seremban, 07-3312300 in Johor Baru and 03-79568144/5 in Kuala Lumpur