Police investigating new lead, would find motive soon

Johor police chief Commissioner M. Kumar said the police are investigating a new lead and would find the motive behind the kidnapping of Albertine Leo soon.

“The (31-year-old) suspect is under remand until Saturday (Aug 10).

“The case is still being investigated (and) we have found new leads to help us in this matter.

“This will help us focus on our investigation… We are hopeful that in a couple of days, we can establish the motive behind the victim’s abduction,” he said today, reported The Star.

He also noted that investigators will be working to determine whether the suspect is a paedophile.

When asked whether the victim would undergo an examination in light of recent discoveries of sex toys at the suspect’s home, Kumar said it was unnecessary as she had already undergone a thorough medical check-up.

“The specialist who carried out the examination stated that the victim was medically fine. I do not see any logic in sending her for another check-up,” he said.

Leo went missing during an event at Eco Galleria in Iskandar Puteri on the evening of July 20.

On July 23, police found Leo at a budget hotel in Batang Kali, Selangor, approximately 370 kilometres from where she was last seen.

Police also detained a suspect who was discovered in the same hotel room as Leo.

The suspect was held in remand from July 23 to Aug 5 to assist with investigations under Section 365 of the Penal Code and Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 before being granted bail.

On Aug 4, the suspect was rearrested after police found an array of sex toys, adult pornography, and child sexual abuse materials at his home in Kulai.

He remains under remand while further investigations are conducted under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and Section 292 of the Penal Code.