GEORGE TOWN: An Indonesian woman was found dead with four slash wounds, including a 13cm cut on her neck, at the Sri Nipah Apartment in Sungai Nibong here.
In the 11.30pm incident yesterday, the victim's body was found covered in blood by two Bangladeshi men, who were tenants in the unit, before they alerted the police.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong said the three-bedroom unit was rented by three Bangladeshi men.
"A 37-year-old Bangladeshi male tenant, suspected to be the prime suspect in the case, has fled and efforts to hunt him down are in full swing.
"Apart from the slash wounds to the neck, the 45-year-old victim was also slashed in her stomach, chest and behind the ears.
"Two knives, believed to be the murder weapons, were also found at the scene," he said.
Soffian said, apart from the slash wounds, police also found marks on the victim's wrists and legs, likely from material used to tie her.
"We are not ruling out the possibility that the victim was tied up before being murdered," he added.
Soffian said, based on interrogation, the other two Bangladeshi tenants said they heard an argument in the room between the victim and the male suspect, who works as a construction worker, at about 7.30am yesterday.
"They then went out to work, and upon returning home at night, they saw the victim covered in blood in the room.
"The victim is believed to have been dead within 24 hours but it will be confirmed after the post-mortem is conducted," he said.
Meanwhile, Soffian said the two Bangladeshi tenants have been detained to assist investigations into the case.
Personal details of the suspects have been obtained.
"Police found several documents, such as a passport, believed to belong to the victim, but her identity will only be confirmed after the post-mortem is done.
"Police are still investigating the relationship between the suspect and the victim," he said.
The victim's remains have been sent to the Penang Hospital's Forensic Unit for a post-mortem.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.