Zara’s mum refused autopsy even after explanation, says police officer
A coroner's court in Malaysia heard testimony regarding the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir. The investigating officer stated that the mother refused an autopsy, citing a desire for an immediate burial and no suspicion of foul play.
Why it matters
This case highlights the legal and cultural complexities surrounding post-mortem procedures and the rights of families in death investigations.
Zara Qairina Mahathir died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, 2025, a day after she was found unconscious near a drain at her school dormitory. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: The Kota Kinabalu coroner’s court today heard that Zara Qairina Mahathir’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, refused to allow an autopsy on her daughter even after police explained the procedure to her.
Berita Harian reported investigating officer Wong Yew Zhung as saying that he met Noraidah at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, 2025, after the 13-year-old’s death was confirmed at 1.07pm.
The 83rd witness said he received a call from Dr B Pavankumar at around 1.35pm, informing him that Zara had died from "traumatic brain injury with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy".
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a type of brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen and significantly reduced blood flow to the brain.
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