In a horrifying incident that has sent shockwaves across Malaysia, an 11-year-old boy met a tragic end when he was brutally attacked with a machete by a 33-year-old man.
This devastating event unfolded on September 23, 2023, leaving a community in mourning and questions surrounding the motive behind this heinous crime.
The prime suspect, 33-year-old Paulus Poka Lolo, was on the run but was eventually apprehended on September 24, 2023.
The Victims
The young victim, whose name has been withheld for privacy reasons, was found lifeless on the morning of September 23, 2023.
The boy’s mother and stepfather, both Indonesians, had left for work, leaving the child in the care of Paulus Poka Lolo, according to the New Straits Times. This trust would soon turn into a nightmare for the family.
A Gruesome Discovery
The gruesome discovery was made at approximately 7:30 a.m. The boy’s lifeless body was found lying face up in a pool of blood within the workers’ quarters of an oil palm plantation in Lahad Datu, a town in Sabah, Malaysia.
The child had suffered multiple slash wounds on his back, the back of his head, and around his neck. Perhaps even more horrifying, his left hand had been severed and was discovered a short distance away from his lifeless body.
The Fleeing Suspect
In the aftermath of this horrific incident, Paulus Poka Lolo, the man entrusted with the child’s safety, reportedly fled the scene, according to the Daily Express.
Authorities swiftly initiated a manhunt to bring him to justice. The pursuit led them approximately 100 kilometers away from Lahad Datu, to Felda Sahabat, where Paulus was finally apprehended on September 24, 2023, according to The Star.
The Recovery of the Murder Weapon
Upon Paulus’s arrest, crucial evidence came to light. During police questioning, he disclosed the location where he had hidden the alleged murder weapon, as reported by Bernama.
With the assistance of a K-9 unit, law enforcement retrieved a 23-inch machete from a bush by the roadside. This discovery brought the investigation one step closer to understanding the events that had transpired.
Unanswered Questions
While the suspect is now in custody, many questions remain unanswered. The Lahad Datu district police chief assistant commissioner has stated that he believes the case is solved, with Paulus as the sole suspect.
However, the motive behind this brutal murder remains a mystery, and law enforcement authorities have indicated that they require more time to investigate.
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