Zara Qairina's mother refused post-mortem despite being briefed, inquest told
During an inquest into the death of teenager Zara Qairina, an investigating officer testified that her mother refused a post-mortem examination. The mother signed legal declarations stating she did not suspect foul play and wished to proceed with an immediate burial.
Why it matters
The testimony clarifies the legal and procedural handling of the death investigation and addresses why certain forensic evidence was not collected.
KOTA KINABALU: The mother of Zara Qairina Mahathir, Noraidah Lamat, did not want a post-mortem conducted on her daughter and refused to allow it, despite being briefed on the matter, the Coroner's Court was told on Tuesday (Oct 13).
Investigating officer Insp Wong Yew Zhung said he had informed and explained to Noraidah, 46, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital that a post-mortem would be conducted to assist investigations into Zara Qairina's death.
The 83rd witness in the inquest proceedings into the teenager's death explained the post-mortem process to Noraidah once again, but she remained adamant, replying: "I don't want it. I want to bury her (Zara Qairina) immediately."
Wong said a photographer took several photographs during the meeting and at the hospital's Neurosurgery ward for record and documentation purposes.
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