From laundrette to murder, what exactly happened to Bella?
This unsettling turn of events unfolded for Mila Sharmila Samsusah, a 32-year-old single mother known as Bella, who was reported missing a month ago.
What began as an ordinary and routine evening of household chores has transformed into a mystery and nightmare for a family.
This unsettling turn of events unfolded for Mila Sharmila Samsusah, a 32-year-old single mother known as Bella, who was reported missing a month ago.
Chronology of Events
The mother of a four-year-old boy, reportedly clad in dark blue batik attire, left her residence at 11.50pm on Dec 14, 2023 using her boyfriend's car to go to the launderette.
Despite these initial intentions, she has been missing since then, and her mobile phone was unreachable, showing only one checkmark on WhatsApp messages.
Interestingly, the clothes intended for washing at the launderette were discovered in Bella's house the day after she was reported missing.
Concerned about her unexplained absence, Bella's family members took action by lodging two police reports on Dec 16, 2023 and Dec 18, 2023 at the Batu Pahat District Police Headquarters.
Bella’s Family Statement
Norhisham Samsusah, 36, the sister of the missing woman shared that the police have urged the family to remain patient as the investigation into Bella's disappearance continues.
Expressing an intuitive sense of something unusual about her sister's disappearing act, Norhisham emphasised that this case deviates from the norm of typical missing person scenarios.
According to Norhisham, there is a possibility that Bella is still in the vicinity, but her exact location remains unknown.
Norhisham revealed that contrary to initial reports, “Bella did not go to the laundromat in Simpang Rantai.
“Instead, she headed in a different direction with her 24-year-old boyfriend. CCTV footage at the premises failed to capture any images of Bella on the day of the incident.
“It was discovered that Bella's boyfriend dropped her near a Thai tom yam shop on Jalan Kenangan, Kampung Bahagia, following an argument,” she added.
Norhisham also mentioned that the discovery of the laundry basket inside Bella's house raised questions.
“CCTV footage revealed Bella's boyfriend carrying a basket of clothes into her house, and four minutes later, he left the house alone in a white Toyota Vios car.
“We were uncertain about Bella's whereabouts and her connection to the mobile phone tracking application, which indicated her last location in front of her house,” she said.
Official Statements by the Police
On December 26, 2023, Batu Pahat district police chief, ACP Ismail Dollah stated that five individuals including a man believed to be Bella's boyfriend, have been summoned for questioning in connection to the case.
The 24-year-old individual, employed with a courier company, is thought to hold crucial information that could shed light on the mysterious disappearance of Bella who left her residence in Taman Soga at 11.50 pm on Dec 14, 2023.
Skeletal Remains Found in an Abandoned House in Batu Pahat
On Jan 19, the police discovered skeletal remains believed to be those of Bella.
Johor Police Chief, Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat revealed that the skeleton was found around 2pm after one of the arrested suspects led the police to the scene.
“Since clothing was also discovered at the incident site, a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test will be conducted to verify the victim's identity.
"Bella’s family has been informed about the discovery, but we have not been able to confirm whether the skeleton belongs to the woman.
“The skeleton will be taken to the Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI) in Johor Bahru for DNA testing, and results will only be known between two weeks to a month," he said.
Latest Development on Bella’s Missing Case
After the discovery of skeletal remains believed to be Bella who was reported missing more than a month ago, three men have been arrested in connection with the case.
Ismail said the suspects, aged 24 to 39, have been remanded from Jan 20 until Jan 27.
“The post-mortem, conducted by the Sultan Ismail Hospital Forensic Department in Johor Bahru, took place on Saturday’s morning, 20 Jan.
"The pathology sample from the hospital has been sent to the Chemistry Department to conduct DNA sequencing to identify the victim's identity."
“The case is now under investigation for murder, as per Section 302 of the Penal Code,” he said.
