Horror as decapitated body of 10-year-old boy is found after crocodile snatches him from paradise beach
The decapitated body of a schoolboy has been found washed up on a beach after he was attacked by a crocodile in Malaysia.
Denis Rodi, 10, was grabbed by a large saltwater crocodile on October 13 while playing with friends in the shallow waters of Sinakut Beach in Lahad Datu town, Sabah.
Police said his body was found around 9.26am today about 600 meters from where he disappeared.
Denis’ right hand and head are said to be missing.
Lahad Datu District Police Chief Deputy Commissioner Dzulbaharin Ismail said: “Immediately search and rescue efforts were made by relatives and villagers, but they could not find him.
Denis Rodi, 10, was snatched by the large saltwater crocodile while playing with friends in the shallow waters of Sinakut Beach
A photo of where his body was found today
Denis was attacked by a large saltwater crocodile (file photo)
“The boy’s stepfather subsequently filed a report at the Desa Kencana Police Station seeking help.”
According to conservationist Silvester Saimin, Denis’ family had come to the area to visit relatives.
He said: ‘Around 7am the children aged between five and 10 were taken by their aunts to bathe on the beach.
“The victim, who was in the middle of the group of children, was mauled by a crocodile and dragged into the water.”
Denis’ remains were taken to Lahad Datu Hospital.
The horror attack comes after Malaysian schoolgirl Cicilia Julan Intik, 6, was dragged away by a crocodile while bathing in a river on Bintulu Island on September 18.
She was splashing around with her family nearby when the predator picked her up and pulled her deeper into the water.
Denis’ right hand and head are said to be missing from his body
A photo of the scene where the 10-year-old’s body was found
Police said his body was found around 9:26 a.m. today, about 600 meters from where he disappeared
Conservationists said they are believed to have found the boy’s remains – including teeth and bones – in a crocodile captured from the river on September 27.
Crocodile attacks in Malaysia, especially in the states of Sarawak and Sabah, mainly occur in rivers and coastal areas where saltwater crocodiles are common.
These attacks often involve fishermen, villagers or tourists near crocodile habitats.
Due to increasing human-wildlife conflict, the government has taken measures such as awareness campaigns and occasional culls to control the crocodile population and reduce attacks.