Petaling Jaya: "My heart was moved to search in the riverbank area... When I shone a light, I saw a lifeless body lying on its side," said Faizol Najib Abdul Naim, 45.
Faizol Najib is the individual who discovered the autistic child, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, 6, who had been missing since yesterday.
According to him, he did not expect to find the special needs child lifeless. He was only following his instincts to search in the riverbank area near Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai, here, even though the area had already been searched by the K9 Tracking Unit yesterday.
He said he was supposed to join four other residents in conducting a house-to-house search with the police.
"The surroundings were very dark, and when I shone my light by the river, I saw a lifeless body lying on its side. Along with four other residents, we examined the situation.
"My heart sank when it was confirmed that the child we found was Zayn Rayyan. I saw him fully clothed, with his school badge intact.
"I immediately contacted other friends and informed the police, who were conducting the house-to-house search," he said when interviewed.
Faizol Najib said he and the residents had participated in a prayer gathering organised by the residents' association last night.
"Perhaps Allah answered the prayers of all congregants and moved my heart to search in that area," he said.
Earlier, Zayn Rayyan was found dead in the river area near his residence at the Idaman Apartment.