The Maldives Police Service has provided further insight into the brutal murder of 22-year-old Shiau Mohamed Saeed, confirming that she was stabbed several times postmortem. This revelation emerged during a police press conference on October 15, 2022, shedding light on the horrifying details of the case that shook the community.
The Discovery of the Crime
Shiau’s lifeless body was discovered on the night of August 6, 2022, in an apartment on the ninth floor of H. Sheereen Villa. Police reported that her body bore severe injuries from multiple stab wounds. Initially believed to be inflicted during the attack, the postmortem revealed that many of these injuries were administered even after her death.
Chief Superintendent of Family and Child Protection, Mohammed Basheed, stated, “In light of the postmortem report and the information collected by the officers from the scene of the crime, we can surely establish that Shiau was severely injured after her death.”
Suspect in Custody
The primary suspect, Ali Shahil, a 22-year-old skater, was arrested in connection with the murder. Authorities have hinted at the possibility of charging him with intentional homicide. Shahil’s involvement has been under scrutiny, and his non-cooperation during the investigation has hindered progress. Notably, police struggled to unlock his phone, a key piece of evidence, as he initially refused to provide the password. With assistance from forensic experts, the phone was eventually unlocked.
Inspector of Police Mohamed Samih, head of the Death and Homicide Investigation Unit, confirmed the deliberate nature of the injuries: “Based on the postmortem results so far, the postmortem proves that the injuries to Shiau’s body were deliberate. The injuries were deliberate.”
Search for a Motive
Despite significant progress, the motive behind the murder remains unknown. Police have emphasized the importance of uncovering the reason behind this gruesome act, as it is crucial to fully resolving the case.
Superintendent of Police Hassan Saeed, head of the Serious and Organized Crime Department, stated, “Besides proving the guilt, we need to know the motive by this investigation’s end. That’s why the whole investigation is taking days. Motive identification is underway.”
The data extracted from Shahil’s phone is expected to provide critical evidence that could reveal the motive behind the attack. According to police officials, the extracted data will be available early next week, and they anticipate that it will shed light on the underlying reasons for this heinous crime.
Next Steps
The investigation is progressing, and authorities aim to submit a request for prosecution to the Prosecutor General’s Office within the next two weeks. Until then, investigators continue to piece together the details of the case, hoping to deliver justice for Shiau Mohamed Saeed.
