Headless woman and dismembered man found in Cox's Bazar, police under pressure

Two brutal murders have taken place within two days in the same district, separated by 55 kilometres. One involved the decomposed body of a woman without a head and wrists, while the other involved the dismembered body of an unknown man stuffed into bags. The two incidents in Cox's Bazar have spread concern not only among the local population but also within law enforcement agencies. Investigators said, "These are not just murders – they are cold-blooded killings followed by a planned attempt to erase identities. This clearly indicates the involvement of professional killers."

Headless woman's body in Jhilongja
On Saturday afternoon, April 11, locals spotted a decomposing body wrapped in a blanket on the bank of an abandoned pond in the South Janarghona area of Jhilongja union, Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila. Suspicious due to the foul smell and unusual scene, they alerted Cox's Bazar Sadar Model Police Station.

When police removed the blanket, a gruesome sight was revealed – the body had no head and both wrists were missing. After completing the inquest, the body was sent to the morgue of Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Sub-Inspector Sanjib Pal Kund, who was present at the scene, said based on local information, the deceased woman has been tentatively identified as Sadiya Akhtar Munni, 28, a resident of Jagiraghona area in Maheshkhali upazila. Her husband, Saifur Rahman, is currently on the run.

Locals said the couple had rented a house in South Janarghona around the middle of last Ramadan. Saifur introduced himself as a driver, while Sadiya was a housewife. However, neither has been seen in the area since Eid.

Cox's Bazar Sadar Model Police Station OC Md Samiuddin said the body was found decomposing and wrapped in a blanket. Due to the missing head and wrists, 100 per cent identification has not yet been possible. Identity will be confirmed through DNA matching with claimants.

Sadiya's family said she had no enmity with anyone. She had been missing since March 27.

Dismembered man's body in Teknaf
Two days earlier, on Thursday, April 9, passers-by noticed unusual behaviour from dogs around market bags placed under a culvert in the Hoshni canal in South Kachchapia area of Baharchhara union, Teknaf upazila. Suspicious, they called police.

When police opened the bags, six parts of a dismembered human body fell out. Upon assembly, it was confirmed to be the body of a man. His identity remains unknown.

Inspector Durjoy Bishwas, in-charge of Baharchhara Investigation Centre, said the body had been chopped up with a sharp weapon. After a planned murder, the body was stuffed into bags and dumped into the canal so that the tide would carry it out to sea.

Teknaf Model Police Station OC Md Saiful Islam said the dismembered parts have been recovered and sent for autopsy.

Signs of professional criminals
Investigators said the killers in both incidents consciously attempted to conceal identities. In the Teknaf case, the skin from the victim's hands was removed to prevent fingerprint collection. In the Jhilongja case, the woman's head and wrists were severed and disposed of separately.

An officer with over six years of experience at the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Md Shahedullah, said killers are now well aware of police investigation procedures. These two incidents clearly demonstrate that.

Police Inspector Durjoy Bishwas said this pattern indicates the involvement of organised professional criminal gangs. "We are moving forward with investigations based on possible leads," he said.

Locals also said the Baharchhara area has long been known for human trafficking and ransom incidents. Therefore, the possibility of organised criminal gangs being involved in these murders cannot be ruled out.

Concern and assurance
Cox's Bazar Civil Society President Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka said panic has spread across various areas of Cox's Bazar following the two incidents. The trend of mutilating bodies has created deep concern among people.

Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police A N M Sajedur Rahman said, "The nature and brutality of the murders have troubled us and also created challenges for the investigation. However, no crime is perfect – criminals inevitably leave some clue."

He said both murders are being investigated with the highest priority, and those involved will be identified and arrested soon.