Naeema’s death ruled a homicide; police seek intel

Anyone with information regarding the death of a middle-aged woman found killed in her home in N. Manadhoo on Friday have been asked to share the information with the police.

Naeema Moosa, 62, Annaarumaage, N. Manadhoo, was found dead in her bedroom at around 06:30 pm Friday.

In a statement Saturday, police confirmed they found aspects of the case suspicious, and was treating it as a homicide investigation.

Investigators from the Serious and Organized Crime Department, a team of forensic investigators and a forensic pathologist are operating in Manadhoo to investigate the case.

Naeema was buried after the police took forensic samples at 05:20 pm Saturday.

Addressing concern over the decision not to conduct an autopsy, police said their forensic pathologist found there is no reason to conduct an autopsy – which is used to determine the cause of death.

A street sweeper employed by the local council, Naeema had lived alone. She hadn’t reported to work and was seen for two days, before her family reported her missing at 06:13 pm Friday, prompting a search operation.

The police who went to her home had entered through the backdoor, after finding the front door locked. The police had to break open her bedroom door, which was also locked, and found her lying dead on the floor with multiple stab wounds.

Entry to and exit from the island has been restricted by police as they investigate the case.