19-year-old student found dead in Kuantan rental home, boyfriend arrested for murder

A 19-year-old polytechnic student was found dead inside a rented house in Kuantan, Malaysia, in the early hours of Tuesday (6 Oct).

Her 19-year-old boyfriend, who reportedly called the police after an argument between the pair, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder.

Boyfriend calls police after alleged argument

According to Kuantan district police chief Assistant Commissioner Ashari Abu Samah, authorities received a call at around 4.32am.

The caller, a 19-year-old man, told police that he had been involved in an argument with his girlfriend at a house along Jalan Air Putih 2.

Officers who arrived at the scene found a woman lying unconscious on a bed inside a ground-floor room. The victim was identified as the man’s girlfriend, also 19.

Medical personnel subsequently pronounced her dead.

An initial examination reportedly found marks around her neck consistent with pressure or compression.

19-year-old boyfriend arrested at scene

Police arrested the boyfriend at the house following the discovery.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the couple had been involved in a disagreement before the woman’s death, although police have yet to establish exactly what happened.

The suspect was later brought before the Kuantan Magistrate’s Court, which granted police a seven-day remand until 12 Oct.

The case is currently being investigated under Section 302 of Malaysia’s Penal Code for murder.

Forensic officers and a police K9 unit were also deployed to examine the house and gather evidence.

An autopsy is also being conducted to determine the victim’s exact cause of death.

Victim reportedly shared house with other students

Malaysian media reported that the victim was studying at a polytechnic in Kuantan and rented the house with three other female students.

Neighbours reportedly said the suspect had visited her at the property on previous occasions.

Police have urged the public not to circulate unverified information about the case while investigations are ongoing.

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