A 19-year-old Polytechnic Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (POLISAS) student, M. Elisa Jonova, was found dead at a rented house along Jalan Air Putih 2, Kuantan, in the early hours of Tuesday (October 6, 2026).
Elisa, who was pursuing her diploma at POLISAS, was found lying unconscious on a bed in a ground-floor room of the house. Kuantan district police chief Asst. Commissioner Ashari Abu Samah said police received an emergency call from the victim’s 19-year-old boyfriend at about 4:32 am.
A preliminary examination found pressure marks around Elisa’s neck, and she was later pronounced dead by medical personnel. A post-mortem examination is being conducted at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA) to determine the exact cause of death.
Boyfriend Arrested and Remanded until Oct 12
The 19-year-old male suspect, who was at the premises when police arrived, was arrested at the scene.
He has since been remanded for seven days until Oct 12 to assist investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Police said initial investigations indicated that the incident was believed to have stemmed from jealousy. Elisa and the suspect were also believed to have known each other for about a year.
Police have recorded statements from Elisa’s three housemates as investigations continue. The suspect was reportedly a former POLISAS student who had been expelled over disciplinary issues.
Neighbours Heard An Argument in The Early Hours
New details have since emerged regarding what allegedly happened before police were called.
According to a flower vendor living near the premises, a heated argument was heard from the room at around 2 am. The other housemates reportedly became concerned and knocked on the room door to check on the couple.
The neighbour claimed that when the male suspect opened the door, he allegedly told the housemates that he had “accidentally killed his girlfriend”. The housemates were reportedly frightened and contacted their families during the early morning.
However, this account has not been independently confirmed by police, and investigations into what happened inside the room remain ongoing. Police have urged the public not to speculate or circulate unverified information.
Elisa Remembered as Friendly and Soft-spoken
Elisa’s sudden death has left her friends and neighbours shocked. A neighbour in her 40s said she had seen Elisa walking with the suspect along the main road near Jalan Air Putih at around 9pm on Monday, just hours before the incident.
She described Elisa as a well-mannered person and said the victim and three other female students had been living at the rented house for about six months.
Another neighbour described Elisa as friendly and said she would usually greet people in the neighbourhood. She also said Elisa was originally from Kedah and had worked at a nearby restaurant with a friend.
A close friend and batchmate remembered Elisa as a soft-spoken and jovial person who regularly shared meals and everyday moments with her friends. The friend, who was at HTAA’s forensic unit, said she was struggling to accept Elisa’s sudden death and was left with many memories of their time together.
POLISAS and JPPKK Offer Support to Family
The Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (JPPKK) and POLISAS have expressed their condolences to Elisa’s family and said they will provide full cooperation to the authorities.
JPPKK urged the public not to speculate or spread unverified information, while also asking people to respect the privacy and feelings of Elisa’s family during this difficult period.
Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation as the case continues.
