Teenager's body found in bushes: Police probe murder, 14 detained including two minors

SUNGAI PETANI, 10 OCTOBER 2026 —

SUNGAI PETANI - Fourteen individuals, including two minors, have been remanded to assist police investigations into the murder of an 18-year-old teenager found dead near a roadside bush in Kedah.

Police confirmed that 12 of the suspects were remanded for six days, while the two individuals believed to be under the age of 18 were granted five days of remand. The investigation centers on the death of Muhammad Haikal Mohd Shahrilnizam, whose body was discovered with visible injuries to his head and face. According to Kuala Muda District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Hanyan Ramlan, the victim was found wearing black and yellow sportswear.

The body was located around 8:00 a.m. on Thursday near Jalan Harvard-Gurun in Sungai Petani. Initial reports indicated the deceased was lying beside the bushes in the area. The police are treating the case as a murder, with all 14 suspects believed to have links to the incident. The remand period allows investigators to gather further evidence and question the suspects regarding the circumstances leading to the teenager’s death.

This development marks a significant step in the ongoing inquiry into the fatal incident in the Kuala Muda district. The involvement of minors in the suspect pool highlights the complex nature of the case, requiring specific legal procedures for those under 18. As the remand period concludes, the police will determine the next steps in the prosecution process based on the evidence collected during this initial phase of the investigation.

Related: Sungai Petani Court Complex · Noor Fazlina Musa · Sungai Petani