BUTTERWORTH, Oct 11 — A Toyota Vios believed to belong to the man who was murdered before his body was stuffed into a suitcase and dumped behind the Ampang Jajar flats along Jalan Permatang Pauh here yesterday has been found.

The car was found about 450 metres from the location where the victim — who had earlier been reported missing by his family on October 8 — was discovered, Harian Metro reported last night.

According to the news report, the discovery of the car provides a fresh lead for police to complete their investigation and track down the suspect involved.

The Malay daily also reported that police have also obtained closed-circuit television (CCTV) recordings from a nearby waste transfer station to assist in the probe.

According to multiple media reports, the man found in the suitcase, with his throat slit and hands bound has been identified as 31-year-old Lee Boon Han.

The victim’s family identified his body at the Seberang Jaya Hospital forensics unit yesterday.

His remains were later taken to the United Hokkien Funeral Parlour in Paya Terubong for mourning rites before cremation, scheduled for tomorrow at the Batu Gantung Crematorium.

Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said in a statement that the cause of death was confirmed to be asphyxiation, and the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.