KOTA KINABALU: A suspected killer has been nabbed in Kionsom, Inanam, not far from here, less than a day after the alleged murder was committed.

       The suspect, a 43-year-old vehicle painter, was nabbed at around 11.20am Wednesday (Feb 23), following Tuesday’s (Feb 22) alleged murder.

       Kota Kinabalu OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said prior to the suspect’s arrest, police had received a report from the victim's family on Tuesday night.

       "The family alerted police when they found the 25-year-old victim dead in some bushes at Jalan Kionsom, after he could not be contacted by telephone," he said.

       Prior to the incident, the victim had gone to meet the suspect at around 1pm.

       "The victim’s father sent him to meet the man, and left him there after that," ACP Mohd Zaidi said.

       He added that the victim later sent a location pin to his family via WhatsApp to inform them of his whereabouts.

       However, he could not be contacted after that.

       "This prompted the family to search for him," ACP Mohd Zaidi said.

       They later discovered his body in some bushes along Jalan Kionsom, and lodged a police report.

       Medical examiners found strangulation marks on the victim.

       The victim was then taken to the hospital for Covid-19 tests in preparation for a post-mortem.

       ACP Mohd Zaidi said an immediate manhunt was mounted for the suspect, who was believed to have strangled the victim using a wire.

       "The suspect was nabbed at his rental house in Kg Bambangan, Inanam," he added.

       Also confiscated was a cellphone which belonged to the victim.

       The suspect was being investigated for murder.