A Malaysian man in the midst of a divorce was found hanging from a beam in his home, where two of his children lay dead after they were believed to have been poisoned, a news report said Thursday. ( dpa )
The body of 34-year-old Shaari Hamid was discovered Wednesday in his home in the northern Penang state by his sister who also found the bodies of Muhammad Shamir, 4, and Nor Ameelia, 1, Shafiqahin lying on a mattress in their bedroom.
"Early investigations show they have been dead for seven hours before the police were called," district police chief Shafien Mamat was quoted as saying by the Star daily.
He said initial investigations also revealed the children had traces of poison in their bodies.
Authorities found bottles of weedkiller in the home, he said.
"We are not sure if they consumed the poison through a drink or food but there was poison in their bodies," said Shafien.
Shafien said police were investigating the case as a murder-suicide, adding that the suspect was believed to have been upset over his failed marriage.