BUKIT MERTAJAM — Family members were left in shock after a woman and her young daughter were found murdered in their rented home in Kampung Sekolah Juru here last night.

The victims, identified as Sariya Che Hin, 51, and her daughter, Nur Afrina Alisha Abdul Rahim, 11, were discovered around 7.30pm before their bodies were taken to Seberang Jaya Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

“My sister never spoke about her problems — she was always cheerful, as if nothing was wrong... I can’t accept that she and her daughter were murdered. Even animals love their young,” said her brother, Bismi Che Hin, 60, when interviewed by Berita Harian (BH) today.

“The last time I saw her was during Hari Raya, and again recently at her son’s wedding — her child from her first marriage,” he said when met by reporters at the hospital’s forensic unit.

According to BH, Bismi said Sariya, the youngest of six siblings, had remarried a few years ago and frequently moved before settling into the house where the tragedy occurred.

He added that his sister had one biological child and had also adopted her niece, whom she had raised from a young age.

Bismi said he learned about the killings through a message from another sibling and travelled to Penang after confirming the news.

He expressed disbelief and grief over the loss, describing the attack as cruel and inhumane.

He also urged police to act swiftly and bring the perpetrator to justice.

Earlier reports stated that the mother and daughter were discovered by the victim’s husband when he returned home at about 7.30pm yesterday.