Cover image via Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
Police have revealed that the main suspect in the murder of Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara was given access to the university dormitory unit by one of the victim's housemates prior to the killing
At a press conference earlier today, 1 July, Selangor police chief CP Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said that preliminary investigations showed that the suspect — the boyfriend of one of Maniishapriet's housemates — had previously stayed in the dorm unit and returned on the night of the murder.
"The main suspect had apparently stayed overnight previously," Hussein was quoted as saying by The Star.
"On the night of the incident, the suspect was given the access card and keys as he wanted to stay there again, while the girlfriend had gone back to her hometown.
"However, he had ill intentions towards the victim that led him to hit her using an object and eventually murder her," he added.
Police are still trying to determine the level of awareness and involvement of the housemate, who provided the suspect with access.
It remains unclear whether she knew of the suspect's intentions.
After bludgeoning her to death, the suspect allegedly stole the victim's personal belongings, including her laptop, mobile phone, and ATM card.
Hussein said the suspect withdrew RM200 using the victim's bank card, with the help of another female suspect.
Maniishapriet, a Bachelor of Physiotherapy student at the University of Cyberjaya, was found dead at Mutiara Ville on the morning of 24 June
Her body was discovered by a friend around 10am, with injuries to the back of her head and swelling on her right eye.
She had been staying alone in the unit since 21 June, preparing for an upcoming exam, while her five housemates had left for the holidays.
A post-mortem confirmed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.
Was there sexual assault?
While early rumours online suggested sexual assault, Hussein clarified that a pathology report found no evidence of rape.
However, he said police have not ruled out the possibility of sexual assault, and investigations are ongoing.
"We are still investigating further to find any proof of sexual assault," he was quoted as saying by the English daily.
So far, four individuals have been arrested
Earlier, three suspects were arrested and remanded for seven days.
However, police today confirmed that a total of four individuals, one man and three women, aged between 19 and 20, have been arrested.
They were apprehended in separate operations in Johor Bahru and Gemencheh, Negeri Sembilan, according to earlier reports.
The investigation also revealed that another suspect has been identified, believed to have been in contact with the main suspect after the murder.
This individual is currently in custody over a separate case.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. The remand order for three suspects currently in custody is active until 3 July.
