Second area searched over elderly woman's suspected murder

Police on Sunday cordoned off and searched another area of Manadhoo island in Noonu atoll in connection with the suspected murder of an elderly woman who was found dead in her house on Friday.

Naeema Moosa, 62, of Annaarumaage, who lives alone, was reported missing by her family at around 6.13pm on Friday. Acting on the report, the police reached Naeem's house and broke open the door of the room and found her dead on the floor, police said Friday.

According to a personal familiar with the case who spoke to Atoll Times from the island, Naeema's body had several stab wounds and injuries. 

Since Friday, the police have cordoned off the area where Naeema's house is located. On Sunday, the police cordoned off and searched four blocks in the area off the western end of the island's hospital. The area is home to a house occupied by migrant workers, another where a local family lives, and two abandoned houses.

Naeem's body was buried in the island Saturday evening after the police ruled that her death did not warrant a post-mortem exam.

The council on the instructions of the police has directed those leaving Manadhoo and going to the island to seek permission.

A forensic team of the police reached the island around 3am on Saturday to investigate the death. No arrests have been made so far in the case.

It is learnt that Naeema, whose three children live in capital Male, had siblings in the island, but lived alone in the family house.