ISKANDAR PUTERI: A murder suspect, on trial for a double murder involving a mother and her daughter in Ulu Tiram two months ago, died soon after he was found hanging by the neck at the Ulu Choh police detention lockup yesterday.

Iskandar Puteri district police chief Superintendant Noor Hashim Mohamad said the 20-year old is believed to have tried to commit suicide by hanging himself with a piece of cloth tied to a small opening at the cell window.

“He was found at 8am by the warden on duty. He was hanging around 2.1m above the floor and against the cell wall,” said Hashim.

Noor Hashim said that at the time, the suspect was still alive but barely breathing.

Police believe he had committed the act around five hours before he was found.

“He was immediately rushed to the Sultan Ismail hospital,” said Noor Hashim.

However, the man was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

The suspect and another person, also aged 20, was arrested for the murder, which took place in Taman Puteri Wangsa, Ulu Tiram on Sept 21. Police had arrested a total of eight suspects.

Two charged for murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

The case had been transferred for proceedings before the High Court.-nst