Missing autistic boy found dead by river near home

A six-year-old autistic boy reported missing for over 24 hours was found dead tonight by a river near his house in Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya.

Berita Harian quoted Petaling Jaya district police chief Mohd Fakhrudin Abd Hamid confirming Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin’s body was discovered at the site some 200m from where he was last seen at around noon yesterday.

"I can't comment further because we just discovered the body and are at the stage of investigating the surrounding locations," said Fakharudin who was on site.

The Malay daily reported that police had closed the path from the apartment that led to the bushes where Zayn Rayyan was found.

Berita Harian also reported that Zayn Rayyan's mother, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 28, was at the scene tonight.

Earlier, a team of 40 police personnel assisted by 60 residents of Idaman Apartment, launched a door-to-door search mission covering 2,484 residential units across 18 blocks.

The search team also reportedly comprise Fire and Rescue Department personnel, Civil Defence Force and sniffer dogs from the police K9 unit, covering areas including surrounding bushes and drains.

Cops seek public help to locate missing autistic boy