SIPITANG: Two men were arrested on suspicion of hiding the body of their companion in an undergrowth following what police believe was a fatal accidental shooting during a hunting trip.
The body of the victim, in his 50s, was found in a decomposed state at Kg Takula, near here, several days after the July 3 incident.
Sipitang District Police Chief Supt Awang Anak Suanda said police initially received a missing person report from the family after the victim failed to return home following an outing with two friends.
“They were initially believed to have gone fishing. The two friends returned on July 5, but not the victim, prompting his family to lodge a report on July 7,” he said.
He said further investigations showed the victim was believed to have been accidentally shot while hunting.
“The two suspects, in their 50s, were arrested on July 10 and led police to the location where the body was found.
“The body was in a decomposed state. Preliminary investigations indicate the suspects concealed the body out of panic and fear after the victim died from a gunshot wound during the hunting trip,” he added.
Two homemade bakakuks (shotguns) were seized from the suspects who have been remanded, and the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
