JEDDAH, 28 March 2007 — Police here say that a fight over a cell phone ended with a Burmese truck driver in murdering and dismembering his wife with a butcher’s knife and then calling his children into the room to witness the carnage.
Authorities say they have a fingerprint from the weapon and are now seeking one Shahedullah Abdul Malek for the brutal murder in the southern Nuzla district.
According to testimony from the victim’s father, who responded to the cries of the children after the murder suspect fled, the attack began after the wife destroyed a mobile phone her husband had asked to see.
Abdul Malek, who works as a truck driver in the southern city of Abha, reportedly attacked his wife with the butcher’s knife until her head split in two. The children told police that the man continued to cut away at the corpse, including removing the victim’s arms. He then called the children into the bedroom where the killing took place before fleeing. The children’s grandfather discovered the macabre scene after responding to their cries for help.
The children told police that the dispute started with physical abuse before the man allegedly went to the kitchen and retrieved a knife. He then reportedly returned to the bedroom, locked the door and murdered his wife.
The brother of the murder victim said Abdul Malek spends most of his time in Abha, but came to town for a visit to get his children on his iqama (work visa). The brother said the day before the crime took place, he saw the couple laughing together.
