OKU man’s walk to Kota Marudu town ends in tragedy

A man with learning disabilities who walked 5km to town from his house almost daily has been found dead in Sabah’s northern Kota Marudu district.

Passers-by discovered the remains of Rainol Majangkir, 37, floating in a drain near the Goshen town bus stop at Jalan Langkon Pitas at about 2pm on Thursday (Sept 7).

It was believed he had a seizure while walking to town from his house in Kampung Kandawayon Laut before falling into the drain.

Kota Marudu police chief Supt Zairolnizal Ishak said a team rushed to the scene after being informed by the public.

Based on their checks, he said, the victim had learning disabilities as well as a history of seizures from a young age.

“On the day of the incident, it was learned the victim had left his house at 8am to walk to town some 5km away before his body was found at 2pm,” he said when contacted on Friday (Sept 8).

According to a family member, Rainol usually walked to town in the morning and returned in the evening.

It was also said the victim had suffered seizures during his previous walks and while in town.

“An examination of his remains found the body to be stiff and that he had bitten down on his tongue,” Supt Zairolnizal added.

An inspection by medical officers also found no other visible injuries on the body and the case was categorised as a sudden death report, he said.

The body has been sent to the district hospital for a post-mortem.