Police identify two bodies found in Kedah River, rule out link between deaths

ALOR SETAR, June 14 — Police have identified one of two men whose bodies were recovered from the Kedah River today as a 16-year-old boy who had been reported missing two days earlier, adding that there was no indication the deaths were linked.

Harian Metro reported Kota Setar police chief Assistant Commissioner Syed Basri Syed Ali as saying that the teenager, identified as Saw Chee Wan, was believed to have left his home on June 12. Family members identified him through a pendant necklace he had been wearing.

According to police, Saw had a learning disability and was reported missing from his home in Kampung Seberang Perak, about two kilometres from where his body was found.

The teenager's body was discovered by Alor Setar City Council cleaning workers at about 9am near Taman Pesisiran Jeragan in Ampang Jajar.

Firefighters later recovered the body from the river.

The national daily also said that police later identified the second victim as Muhammad Amin, also known as N. Thiagarah, 46, from Tanjung Bendahara who had also been reported missing on June 12.

Syed Basri said investigations found that Muhammad Amin had previously received treatment for mental health issues.

Although the two bodies were found about 100 metres apart, police said investigations showed the cases were unrelated.

A forensic examination found no evidence of foul play, and both cases have been classified as sudden deaths.

The bodies were taken to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

Police also confirmed that a motorcycle found near the scene belonged to Muhammad Amin, based on identification by his younger brother.

Syed Basri urged the public not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the two bodies.

Earlier reports said the bodies of two men, aged 16 and 46, were found in the Kedah River near Titi Taman Pesisiran Jeragan today.