LAHAD DATU: Dispute over missing money is believed to be the reason that led to the death of a vocational college student who was found dead in a dormitory room early this morning.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Dr. Rohan Shah Ahmad said preliminary investigation showed the incident started after two students at the vocational college complained about lost of money.
"The victim was accused of theft before he was beaten to death by all the suspects.
"Police have arrested 13 students aged between 16 and 19 to facilitate our investigation into the case," he said in a statement today.
All the suspects arrested in connection with case, he said, have been remanded for six days until March 29.
"To date, police have recorded statements from 12 witnesses including four dormitory wardens, security guards, and college students.
"In addition, urine screening tests on all suspects came out negative for drug abuse," he said.
Meanwhile, Rohan said they are still waiting for the full forensic autopsy report of the victim from the Lahad Datu Hospital Forensic Department to determine the actual cause of death.
Yesterday, the victim, identified as Mohammad Nazmie Aizzat Muhd Narul Azwan, 17, was found unconscious by the dormitory warden on duty at 6.50am.
The student of Lahad Datu Vocational College majoring in Biotechnology was found unconscious and confirmed dead at the scene by Lahad Datu Hospital personnel who were present to provide emergency treatment.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.