Manadhoo Island in Noonu Atoll was cordoned off and searched by police on Sunday in connection with the suspected murder of a 62-year-old woman, Naeema Moosa.
Naeema, who lived alone in her house at Annaarumaage, was reported missing by her family on Friday evening. When police arrived at her home, they found her body with several stab wounds and injuries on the floor of her room.
Since Friday, the police have been investigating the case and cordoned off the area around Naeema’s house. On Sunday, the police cordoned off and searched four blocks in the area off the western end of the island’s hospital. The area contains a house occupied by migrant workers, another where a local family resides, and two abandoned houses.
Following an examination of Naeema’s body, police ruled out the need for a post-mortem examination and buried her on the island on Saturday evening. The council instructed individuals leaving Manadhoo to seek permission from the police. A forensic team from the police arrived on the island early Saturday morning to investigate the death, but no arrests have been made so far.
Naeema had three children living in the capital Male, and siblings on the island, but lived alone in the family house. The investigation is ongoing, and police have not released any further information regarding the case.
