3 Teens Arrested After Bright Student Allegedly Murdered At School. Here’s What We Know So Far
She aspired to become a doctor, just like her late mother.
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A 16-year-old student was found severely injured at a secondary school in Yong Peng, Johor, on Saturday, 3 October
Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal, a Form Four student known to family and friends as Fiya, was supposed to attend extra classes from 11am to 5pm on Saturday.
Her friends and a teacher noticed that she was absent but presumed she had skipped class, reported Harian Metro.
At about 5.50pm, police were alerted after she was found in the school hall, where she later succumbed to her severe injuries.
Police have since detained three 16-year-old male students, while preliminary findings have yet to be revealed as investigations are ongoing.
Here are five facts that we know so far:
1. Three male students have been arrested, with one of them currently on a six-day remand
A suspect was brought to the Batu Pahat Courthouse to apply for a remand order.
Image via Danish Roseni/Harian MetroAccording to Berita Harian, the three teenagers are believed to be students at the same school as Irene.
One of suspects, who is Irene's classmate, is currently on a six-day remand until Friday, 9 October, to assist investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
He was arrested at around 7pm on Saturday in Yong Peng, several hours after police were notified about the incident.
As of writing, police have yet to disclose further details about the motive or circumstances of the case.
2. Her grandmother and friends went looking for her after she did not return home
From left to right: Irene's grandparents Jameyah Rabani, 65, and Khyar Abas, 69.
Image via Alias Abd Rani/Berita HarianAccording to the New Straits Times, two of Irene's friends became concerned after they found her motorcycle in the school compound despite not seeing her in class.
One of the friends, 16-year-old Rina, said Irene did not pick up her calls, prompting she and her friend to go to her grandmother's house to check whether she had returned home.
When they realised Irene was missing, they went to the school to search for her. Rina also invited other friends to join the search.
At the school, Rina noticed that the hall door was open even though it was usually kept closed.
Feeling that something was amiss, she asked two friends to accompany her into the hall, where they found Irene's legs near the bottom of the stage, reported Harian Metro.
"We saw her from a distance. We saw her feet, and as we approached, we immediately screamed for security guards and teachers," Rina said.
When her grandmother, Jameyah Rabani, 65, arrived at the scene, Irene was weak after losing a significant amount of blood.
"At that time, my grandchild could no longer speak but she managed to raise her hand and turn towards me.
"I hugged her while asking her to recite a prayer," she told Berita Harian.
Irene stopped responding shortly afterwards.
A broken vase was also found near the victim.
3. Irene was described as a bright student who aspired to become a doctor like her late mother
Irene was regularly ranked first or second in her form and was considered a strong candidate to achieve straight As in next year's SPM examinations.
Her aunt, Siti Nur Faeza Khyar, described her as a quiet and focused student who was committed to her studies, reported Berita Harian.
Siti said Irene had once told her that she wanted to become a doctor like her mother, who was a specialist, and had asked which field of medicine would suit her.
Irene was an only child when she lost her mother to liver cancer at 9 years old.
"Her mother used to work at Serdang Hospital, while her father works as an engineer in Bangi," Siti said.
4. Her father said he wants justice for Irene
Irene's father, Mohd Khairool Faisal Khyar (centre).
Image via Danish Roseni/New Straits TimesIrene's father, Mohd Khairool Faisal Khyar, has said the family is placing its trust in the police and relevant authorities.
According to NST, he hoped justice would be served for his daughter and urged people not to speculate or circulate inaccurate information about the case.
"We hope whoever is responsible receives an appropriate punishment. We leave it entirely to the authorities to conduct the investigation," he said.
Mohd Khairool added that he last saw his daughter two weeks ago and remembered her as cheerful and passionate about her studies.
5. The prime minister called for a swift and transparent probe
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into Irene's death.
According to NST, Anwar said strict action must be taken without compromise if criminal elements are established.
He also reaffirmed that the safety and wellbeing of students are a shared responsibility, as public concern grows over the case and the investigation continues.
