Stephanie Foray murder trial: Witness sees body in mummified state

The 13th prosecution witness in the murder trial of French tourist, Stephanie Foray, in Pulau Tioman last year, told the High Court yesterday, that the victim's body was found in a mummified state by Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital forensics expert, Dr Sri Marni Zainal Abidin and her team.

Investigating officer, Insp Shuhada Salim, who was resuming her testimony today said, Dr Sri Marni found the victim's body in a hole, inside a cave nearby the accused Asni Omar's house in Kampung Tekek, Pulau Tioman.

Responding to a question by deputy public prosecutor Salim Soib@Hamid, Shuhada said Dr Sri Marni and her team recovered the body after they dug at the spot it was claimed to be buried.

Salim: Can you describe the condition of the body?

Shuhada: I'm sorry, I cannot describe the condition of the body, but I saw that it was in a mummified state.

She was testifying in the case involving Asni, 37, a petty trader who was charged with murdering Foray at an unnumbered house in Kampung Tekek, Pulau Tioman, Rompin between 8 pm, May 10 and 12 noon, May 12, last year.

Shuhada also told the court that the body was then handed over to investigation officer ASP Mohd Razali Razak, after the forensics expert had carried out her examination.

"Dr Sri Marni's team also found a pillow, two small cushions, a small and big mattress each, a plastic gunny sack, a black plastic bag and cloth," she added.

The things were then taken to the Pulau Tioman police station for packing to prevent contamination and safeguard the integrity of the evidence.

The trial before Judge Mariana Yahya resumes today.