Beheaded toddler: Suspect's body found in Klang River

The body of the suspect who allegedly abducted and beheaded an 18-month-old toddler, Siti Soffea Emelda Abdullah, on Thursday, has been found.

Confirming the matter, Kuala Lumpur Senior Fire Department Officer II Omar Chekku, who led the search operations, said the suspect's body was found in the Klang River near the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP) Sunway toll plaza around 4pm today.

"The body has been sent to the police for further action," said Omar.

The search operations for the suspect’s body, assisted by the scuba unit and the Fire and Rescue Department, started around 10.50am today.

Two nights ago, the toddler was found beheaded at the edge of the Klang River near the KTM station at Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin in the city.

The victim's body was discovered by the public around 9pm.

The tragedy unfolded after Siti Soffea's mother, Siti Salmy Suib, 32, had left her daughter with friends on the fourth floor of the Kota Raya shopping mall while she went to the toilet.

When Siti Salmy returned, Siti Soffea was nowhere to be seen.

Two eye witnesses later said they saw a man carrying a toddler while making his way through the long grass by the river banks and taking her across the Klang River.

They saw the suspect pushing Siti Soffea on her back and striking her with an object when she struggled.

Upon seeing the suspect strangling the victim while pushing her onto the ground, they alerted auxiliary police at the nearby Public Bank building.

The suspect jumped into the river in an attempt to escape when chased by the public.