13-year-old boy found dead after disappearance in North Dagon Township; relatives suspect murder, but authorities rule it drowning and close case

Yangon, June 11 In North Dagon Township, Yangon Region, a 13-year-old Grade 6 student, Maung Min Khant Zaw, who went missing and was later found dead, is suspected by his parents and relatives to be a murder victim. However, the forensic doctor and police have ruled it a drowning and have closed the case, according to investigations. Maung Min Khant Zaw, a 13-year-old Grade 6 student residing in Ward 39, North Dagon Township, left his home after returning from school around 4 PM on June 8th and subsequently went missing. His body was found face down in a pond in Ward 38, North Dagon Township, on the morning of June 10th at 6 AM. Following this, the body was sent to North Okkalapa Hospital for an autopsy. The forensic doctor noted it as a drowning death. Based on the forensic doctor's report, the relevant police station opened a case of accidental death and has not conducted further investigations, closing the case. "The child knows how to swim. Relatives believe there were swollen injuries on his face. It's impossible that he drowned. The child knows how to swim. Isn't it possible he was drowned? He usually goes out to play and eat snacks in the evening after returning from school. There was no reason for him to go to that pond to swim. He knew how to swim, so it's unlikely he drowned while swimming in the pond. This is not a simple drowning. This is murder," said a relative. Maung Min Khant Zaw, a 13-year-old (Grade 6) student living on Thitsar 4th Street, Ward 39/A, North Dagon Township, suddenly left his home and went missing, only to be found dead. However, as the police have classified it as a simple accidental death, the family and relatives are appealing for anyone with eyewitness accounts to contact them to help uncover the truth of the case. "We would like to appeal to anyone who knows or saw who the child was with when he left home, and what happened, to stand up for the truth and contact the bereaved family to inform them," the relative continued. Some friends and parents of Maung Min Khant Zaw told Khit Thit Media that the deceased, Maung Min Khant Zaw, was popular at school and had no enemies. However, he always dressed neatly and tidily, giving the impression of being the son of a wealthy businessman.