Police reveal suspect in Jerlun beheading case had stopped psychiatric treatment and medication, leading to hallucinations before the fatal attack.
ALOR SETAR: The man accused of beheading his brother-in-law in Kampung Pida 3, Jerlun, had refused psychiatric treatment for approximately five months before the incident.
Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah confirmed the suspect had also stopped taking his prescribed medication, potentially triggering hallucinations that led to the attack.
“The suspect holds a psychiatric treatment card but has refused to receive treatment for about four to five months,” Adzli told reporters at the Kedah Police Contingent Headquarters.
He added that this refusal likely caused the suspect to experience hallucinations and develop false suspicions toward the victim.
According to family members, the suspect had previously received treatment at Alor Setar Hospital after developing depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
The suspect has been remanded and is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
“Once the remand period ends, we will charge the suspect if there are no complications,” Adzli stated.
The incident involved a 45-year-old man who died after being attacked with a machete by his 38-year-old brother-in-law, resulting in decapitation. – Bernama
