Malaysia autopsy to find if body is missing Briton

[Lite Beer]

Malaysia autopsy to find if body is missing Briton
AFP

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian authorities were to perform an autopsy Thursday on a body found on a resort island to determine if it is a British tourist who went missing nine days ago.

Gareth David Huntley, 34, failed to return from a jungle trek on Tioman Island off the east coast of Malaysia on May 27, leading to a manhunt and rising concern in Britain, including from Prime Minister David Cameron.

Rescuers found a body on Wednesday on the banks of a small stream near a conservation and research site, the Juara Turtle Project, where Huntley had served as a volunteer.

Sharifuddin Ghani, the police chief of Pahang state where Tioman is located, said the body was in reasonable condition but that the head had partly decomposed as it was submerged in water.

"We have yet to determine whether the body is Gareth David Huntley," he told reporters.

Asked if the body could have washed downstream, since searchers had earlier looked in the same spot without finding anything, he said, "It's possible. But we will do the investigation."

Sharifuddin said it was "difficult to say" if there were any injuries to the body, and he would wait until the autopsy findings come out before commenting further.

He did not say when the results would be made known.

Malaysia has deployed dozens of rescue personnel on the popular resort island in recent days after Huntley's family and friends urged authorities to step up the search, with some travelling to the Southeast Asian country and setting up a Facebook page to publicise the case.

Cameron's office said he discussed the case with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak on Monday and offered British assistance in the search.

Malaysia's government has been stung by international criticism over its response to missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, with many relatives of the 239 people aboard saying it was too slow and lacked transparency.

In a previous case on Tioman, French tourist Stephanie Foray went missing on the island in May 2011. Her remains were found three months later, buried in a cave.

A Malaysian shopkeeper pleaded not guilty the following year to charges that he murdered the woman after she spurned his sexual advances. His trial is continuing.

Violent crime against foreigners in Malaysia remains relatively rare.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/malaysia-autopsy-to-find-if-body-is-missing-briton-46671.php

-- Phuket News 2014-06-05

[snottgoblin]

Very sad news. I went to Tioman many, man years ago - 21 to be precise, it was a beautiful island that was largely undeveloped, other than a few small villages.

[ClutchClark]

Condolences to the family...fearing but not believing their last goodbye would really be the last.

Even if the autopsy established foul play, what are the chances of punishment should they capture a suspect?

The article indicates an alleged murderer has been identified for years of the young woman yet he still walks free.

[Chicog]

I would think being in a stream long enough to cause decomposition would probably have wiped out any chance of recovering forensic evidence, even if there was some.

There are lots of reasons why you really should not just wander off into a foreign jungle on your own.

[technologybytes]

Condolences to the family...fearing but not believing their last goodbye would really be the last.

Even if the autopsy established foul play, what are the chances of punishment should they capture a suspect?

The article indicates an alleged murderer has been identified for years of the young woman yet he still walks free.

Alleged murderers are entitled to walk free. Convicted murderers belong in prison. There is a big difference.

[smotherb]

Condolences to the family...fearing but not believing their last goodbye would really be the last.

Even if the autopsy established foul play, what are the chances of punishment should they capture a suspect?

The article indicates an alleged murderer has been identified for years of the young woman yet he still walks free.

Alleged murderers are entitled to walk free. Convicted murderers belong in prison. There is a big difference.

yes, a good lawyer

[morrobay]

I would think being in a stream long enough to cause decomposition would probably have wiped out any chance of recovering forensic evidence, even if there was some.

There are lots of reasons why you really should not just wander off into a foreign jungle on your own.

Especially if you are working on an island with a turtle conservation team. An island no doubt full of lowlife turtle poachers

[Scott]

An inflammatory post has been removed.