AUTISTIC child Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, who was found dead in a stream in Damansara Damai, is believed to have been murdered elsewhere. 

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said post-mortem results showed that the six-year-old boy had died in a 48-hour period before his body was found. 

“Based on the autopsy findings, we have concluded that the victim did not die at the scene (the stream). Maybe at another place before his body was placed there. For sure, he did not die of drowning,” he told a press conference at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters last night. 

Shuhaily said the post-mortem showed that apart from injuries to the neck and body, the victim also suffered injuries while trying to defend himself. 

He said preliminary investigations showed the stream was not near the usual routes for the local community and police did not rule out the possibility that the suspect was familiar with the location. 

He said police would look for evidence at the location of the incident to help trace the suspect and did not rule out the possibility that the individual or individuals involved were from the area. 

Police had already recorded statements from the boy’s parents, he said. 

“Police and the local community (involved in the search) passed the place for two days but did not find the victim, whose body was found late on the second night. 

“We view this case seriously and ask anyone with information to come forward and help in the investigation,” he said. 

Shuhaily said investigations so far showed that Zayn Rayyan’s manner of death was consistent with what would be classified as murder.  

Zayn was reported missing on Tuesday afternoon in Damansara Damai and his body was found in a stream about 200m from his house in Apartmen Idaman. 

His body was found by a search party comprising local residents. 

Zayn’s mother realised her son’s absence while climbing the stairs to their house on the third floor.  The boy was last seen entering a bushy area near Apartmen Idaman. – Bernama, December 8, 2023.