BATU PAHAT: An iPhone belonging to Mila Sharmila Samsusah, 36, better known as Bella, has been recovered after police searched the home of one of the suspects.
Bella has been missing since December last year. The recent discovery of skeletal remains in an abandoned house in Kampung Batu 7, Tongkang Pechah, has since fueled further speculation over her disappearance.
Bella's family said the recovery of her phone has come as a small relief to them, noting that it was fortunate that the suspect did not know the phone's password.
Bella's sister, Norhisham, 36, said they believe the suspect may have planned to sell off the phone in its locked state to discard the evidence.
"The phone was found hidden. It was not destroyed. We were lucky that the suspect didn't know the password to her iPhone.
"It's possible that if he knew the password, the phone would have been reset. It's also possible that the suspect was waiting for things to cool down before selling off the phone in its locked state," she said in a Facebook post.
Norhisham, better known as Ayu, had also asked Bella's friend if she knew the password. She was told that Bella never shared the password with anyone.
"But I as well as my children know the password. The kids would play games on the phone and edit photos.. It's truly sad. Bella was very close with my kids.
"She was a loving person. In our last chat (message), she had asked to look after the children during the school holidays," she wrote.
Bella's disappearance on the night of Dec 14 has continued to remain a mystery.
The discovery of skeletal remains last Friday has fueled further speculation over the mystery.
Police have sent the remains for DNA testing.
Police have also arrested three people, aged between 24 and 39, to aid in the investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
The three are being remanded until Jan 27.