PASIR MAS: "She had warned me to be cautious due to the rise in kidnappings and frightening crimes, but I never imagined she would become a victim herself," said Siti Nor Fadilah Ahmad, 38.
Siti Nor Fadilah is the cousin of Istiqomah Ahmad Rozi, 33, the teacher who was brutally murdered and was found on Dec 31 in Melaka without a head, legs and arms.
She said she and Istiqomah frequently communicated via WhatsApp since she was in Johor and the deceased lived in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur.
"We were still in touch in December, but I was surprised when I was suddenly informed in the family WhatsApp group that Istiqomah, fondly called Is among cousins, was reported missing.
"Yesterday, I returned to the village from Kuala Lumpur upon receiving the news that her remains will be handed over to the family and will be buried in the village," she said when met at Kampung Kubang Badak, here, today.
Siti Nor Fadilah, a mother of two daughters aged 11 and 14, said the trip back to the village felt different this time, as they had always planned their returns together in the past.
"Is was a very good person, every time we talked on WhatsApp, she never forgot to leave a prayer and a message to always be careful.
"I accept the loss of a cousin who was close to me since childhood and pray that all affairs of the deceased will proceed smoothly," she said.