Inquest: Zara likely jumped or climbed over hostel railing - pathologist

The lead pathologist who examined schoolgirl Zara Qairina Mahathir after her death told the Coroner’s Court that the 13-year-old was likely to have jumped or swung herself over the third-floor hostel railing.

Dr Jessie Hiu explained that Zara could also have climbed the concrete wall and stepped past the horizontal metal bars.

She added that the position of Zara’s body, when found unconscious on July 16, near drain grates at the base of the hostel block, suggested a trajectory force and indicated the fall involved active movement rather than a passive toppling.

“Based on the information regarding the position and location of the body of the deceased found on July 16, she had to either jump or swing,” she told the court.

Hiu said this after deputy public prosecutor Badiusman Ahmad pressed her for confirmation on whether Zara had jumped or swung to make the fall.

The pathologist’s testimony followed her earlier findings that it was unlikely Zara had fallen accidentally or had been pushed.

She noted that the hostel’s corridor railing measured 118cm, while Zara’s height was 154cm, placing the barrier above her centre of gravity.

Hiu also explained that if Zara had placed one foot out first, the fall would have been head-first.

Instead, the pattern of antemortem injuries showed her left foot struck first, followed by the right, before she landed on her side and then backwards onto her back.

Washing machine nearby

During questioning, Badiusman asked whether Hiu had observed a washing machine at the scene. She replied that she had, though she could not recall clearly.

“It was located next to the staircase on the ground floor,” she said.

Asked about the machine’s size, Hiu described it as a domestic model, not an industrial one.

“I didn’t check the size of the drum, but the deceased was 53kg. I don’t know if a 53kg person can fit into a washing machine.

“However, the machine cannot start with a 53kg load,” she said.

Proceedings later continued with questioning from one of the witness counsel, Azhier Farhan, before Sessions Court judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan called a 15-minute recess.

Pathologist rules out beating

When questioned by Azhier, Hiu said Zara’s injuries were not consistent with a beating but pointed to a fall from height.

She said fractures to the 13-year-old’s spine required high impact but lacked the soft tissue damage that would normally result from repeated blows.

Hiu testified that Zara landed feet first, with the force travelling up her body before her head struck the ground.

During questioning, a representative from the Sabah Law Society interjected, objecting to what he described as leading questions from Azhier.

The representative argued that the inquest was inquisitorial and not adversarial.

Amir allowed the questioning to continue, saying the inquest’s purpose was to determine the cause of death.

Hiu also said there were no signs that Zara had been dragged, noting the absence of abrasions that would suggest her body was pulled to the spot where she was found on July 16.

Zara’s mother’s lawyer, Rizwandean M Borhan, also questioned Hiu, focusing on hypothetical scenarios of how the teenager might have gone over the railing - whether by sitting, running, or standing on the rail.

Hiu said she could not fully simulate such situations and noted that clearer answers would only emerge during the scheduled crime scene visit on Sept 11.

The court later adjourned for lunch.

Zara's hostel fall not likely accidental, pathologist tells court

Zara inquest: Lawyers for father, 5 accused admitted as interested parties

UMS student may face charges over 'seditious' speech at Zara vigil

Sabah rep urges calm amid Zara rallies, police probe