Zakiyya’s death: FBI assistance sought for investigation
Zakiyya’s body was discovered by municipal workers who entered the house to collect garbage
Zakiyya Moosa, 50 and native to Holhudhoo island of Noonu atoll
Authorities have revealed that they are seeking assistance from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for the investigation into the death of Zakiyya Moosa, who was discovered with wounds in Holhudhoo island of Noonu atoll.
The Maldives Police Service (MPS) on Thursday revealed that in a bid to obtain additional expert opinions on Zakiyya's death case, they are sharing the findings of the investigation so far with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and seeking their assistance.
In addition to this, the police institution highlighted that a senior investigative team from the Maldives Police Service has visited Holhudhoo to review the case, reassess the investigation, and identify any further areas that need to be examined.
While police have stated that they are continuing to investigate Zakiyya's death case, residents of the island have taken to the streets and raised their voices, claiming that the police have been grossly negligent in handling Zakiyya's death case. Many residents of the island, including her family, have expressed concerns about the case. They have also stated that the true cause of Zakiyya's death has not yet been determined and that there are significant concerns about the investigation. They have also said that every delay is a cause for unease.
Regarding Zakiyya's death, at a press conference held on 3 December 2024, Chief Inspector of Police Mohamed Saamih said that according to the doctor's information, the cause of Zakiyya's death was identified as injuries to her neck. Therefore, Saamih said that based on the findings of the investigation so far, there is no evidence to suggest that the injuries Zakiyya sustained or her death were the result of any action by another party, and no involvement of another person has been identified in the case at this point.
Saamih said that three deep wounds were found on Zakiyya's left side, two deep wounds on her right side, and one shallow wound in the middle of her neck.
Zakiyya’s body was discovered by municipal workers who entered the house to collect garbage. MPS received a report about a woman with injuries inside a house of the island, at around 10:10am on 10 September 2024. The 50-year-old woman had a visible gash on her neck, likely caused by the knife found near her body. Her body was discovered within her residential compound, lying on the ground between the house and the storage shed.
Police officers attended the scene and transported the body to the island’s health center.
The police institution cited the health center having pronounced her dead.
The woman’s body was transferred to the capital Malé City for further analysis, some time on September 10. The body was buried on September 12.
The island’s residents, who provided information asserted that she was slain and that there was a large puddle of blood at the scene.
She was married and had two sons. She was living with her husband, one of her sons and her daughter-in-law.
MPS earlier said that Zakiyya's body was brought to the capital Malé City for further analysis on September 11, and after conducting the tests, her body was transferred back to the island on September 12.
Previously having worked as a temporary teacher at the island's Meyna School, Zakiyya was described by her family members as a kind-hearted person who was very close to her family.
