KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — The suspect in the killing of five-year-old Noor Amila Edrus Norsham has claimed he was possessed when he abducted and allegedly murdered the boy.

His 25-year-old wife, Nor Nazurah Norsham, claims her husband told her this when she visited him at the police station.

“He told me something came over him and that he was not himself when he took the child from the surau,” she said.

The suspect, a relative of the boy, abducted the victim from a community surau in Jinjang Utara. Edrus was missing for seven days and was found headless in the undergrowth at Kampung Kemensah, Ampang, on Thursday afternoon.

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The housewife said her husband seemed normal on the day of the incident and had even helped looking for Edrus.

The victim’s father, Norsham Jalil, 63, and his stepmother Norihan Bakar, 51, said the suspect at times came off as a mysterious person who rarely spoke much.

Norihan said: “I really cannot understand what came over him. He could have been possessed as I would never have suspected him to do such a thing,” she said.

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However, Norihan said he had, on several occasions, threatened to hit her other children during family visits.

“Sometimes, he would scold the children and threaten to hit them when angry,” she said.

“But he is very hard to read as he would play with the children and even planned to go on holiday with Edrus and his siblings,” she said.

Norsham, whose eyes watered as he spoke, said he had forgiven the suspect.

“There is no point in holding a grudge as my son is dead. I will have to let the law take its course,” he said when met at his home in Jinjang Utara yesterday.

A cousin of the victim from Kulim, Kedah, who wished to be identified as Sharifah, 26, said she noticed the suspect acting weird around the victim the last time they met last month.

“Edrus, who is normally sociable, was more reserved at the wedding function we were attending,” she said.

Sharifah, an electrician, said finding out Edrus was murdered not only shocked, but disgusted her.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim  visited the bereaved family. She said the ministry would not hesitate to assist the family.

“We have begun counselling sessions for family members. The gravity of the situation has not set in on the family yet, but we will be there to support them through this traumatic stage,” she said.

A neighbour of Edrus described him as a jovial and hyper active child, who was enthusiastic about singing and prayers.

Nor Ashikin Jani, 36, said the neighbourhood knew when Edrus was nearby as his singing could be heard.

“He warmed up to people easily and loved to sing, which made him lovable. Since the incident, I cannot sleep knowing he was abducted from just a street away,” she said.

Edrus was reported missing on Aug 11 and was last seen at Surau Al-Hijriah at around 8.30pm.

He was apparently bundled into a red car and driven away by the suspect. His father lodged a missing persons report the same night.

On Thursday afternoon, the suspect led police to the undergrowth where they found Edrus’ decomposing body, headless with both limbs bound.

Sentul police chief ACP R. Munusamy said police were still trying to establish the motive.

“Investigations from all angles still need to be completed,” he said. 

Munusamy said the suspect’s remand order was extended till next Wednesday and that hopefully investigations would be wrapped up by then.

He said the suspect in custody was the only one sought by police in this case.