CCTV grab from Kota Raya Complex in Pudu shows the possible suspect and toddler before the savage killing. — file pic

PETALING JAYA, June 3 — The suspect who bludgeoned a two-and-a-half year-old girl after abducting her from a shopping complex was most likely under the influence of drugs.

City CID chief SAC Gan Kong Meng said forensics police had found a small plastic packet in the suspect’s pocket which contained leaves believed to be ganja after his body was fished out from the Klang River on Saturday.

“We are waiting for the chemist’s report for confirmation on whether he was under the influence of drugs,” he said.

Siti Soffea Emelda was abducted from Kota Raya Complex on Thursday after her homeless and unemployed mother, Siti Salmy Suib, 32, left her with her friends while she went to the toilet.

Police later received a call alerting them that a man had dragged a girl to the banks of the river near the KTM station in Jalan Tun Sambanthan before bashing her head and neck repeatedly with a ceramic tile until it was severed.

Several passers-by tried to catch the suspect but he jumped into the river.

Sources had said the suspect had a criminal record for several offences, including drug-related cases, and had been released from Kajang Prison several months ago.

Gan said police were still working on establishing the motive for the murder.

He said one of the angles they would look at was whether the influence of drugs had prompted the suspect to carry out the savage attack.

“For now, we can confirm that the suspect found in the river is the murderer. This is based on the description by the witnesses and recordings from CCTV cameras,” he said.

He said police had also taken fingerprints and a tooth from the suspect’s body to determine his identity.

The body was highly decomposed and there were no physical injuries.

Gan said a post-mortem on Siti Soffea showed that she had died from severe injuries to the head as a result of blunt force trauma.

“This is consistent with witnesses’ statements that the suspect had used a ceramic tile and bludgeoned her to death,” he said.

Police have recorded statements by 10 witnesses, including Siti Soffea’s mother, to find out the motive for the murder.

They are also expected to record a statement from the father.

Siti Soffea’s three siblings from Siti Salmy’s previous marriage live with Siti Salmy’s parents in Petaling Jaya.