Maldives Police Service has said murder suspect Ali Shahil was under the influence when he was arrested following the murder of Shiaau Mohamed Saeed early Sunday morning.
Shahil, 23, was arrested in the early hours of Sunday for the brutal murder of Shiaau Mohamed Saeed, Gn. Fuvahmulah after her body was found in Shahil's Henveiru apartment in Sheereen Villa.
In a press conference held regarding the case, the Head of Major Crime Investigations, Chief Superintendent Hassan Shifau, said Shahil tested positive for drugs when he was tested upon his arrest. Shahil is the only suspect in the case, he said.
Shifau said the investigation is ongoing, and various information has been received regarding the case. There have been reports of disagreements and domestic violence between Shahil and the victim, although the reports are not confirmed, he said. The Superintendent added that Shahil has no criminal record.
Police have not released details of Shiaau's injuries as the investigation is very early in the case. However, the weapons used to kill Shiaau have now been recovered from the crime scene and police are working to gather more evidence, he said.
Although Shahil has not confessed to murdering Shiaau, the court has remanded him in custody pending trial.
According to the police, the ninth floor apartment in H. Sheereen Villa is used by Shahil from time to time. The police did not provide further details, adding that the motive behind the murder has not been determined thus far.
Shifau further said a post-mortem would be conducted on the victim's body. However, he did not give a specific date for the post-mortem.
Very little information was given regarding Shiaau's state when the body was found. Shifau said Shiaau's body was subjected to severe inhuman injuries. However, the details cannot be disclosed at the request of the family, he said.
According to media reports, Shiaau was decapitated, and her limbs were cut off. The killer is believed to have tried to dispose of her body.
