Body in KLIA wheel bay: Cops appeal for family to identify unknown victim

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are seeking relatives or family members of missing persons who have been uncontactable since Aug 19 following the discovery of a man's body in an aircraft's wheel bay at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

The appeal is focused on those who may have links to or were known to have been around KLIA since the date, as police work to identify the man whose body was found in the aircraft's wheel bay at Terminal 2 (KLIA2).

KLIA police chief Assistant Commissioner M Ravi said police had opened an investigation paper under the sudden death report (SDR) procedure on Aug 27 following the discovery of the unidentified body.

"Efforts are now underway to trace the victim's relatives or family members to assist with the identification process and further investigation into the incident.

"Members of the public who have family members or acquaintances reported missing or who have been uncontactable since Aug 19, 2026, particularly those believed to have links to or were known to have been around KLIA, are urged to go to the nearest police station or contact the KLIA district police headquarters," he said in a statement.

Those with information can contact the KLIA district police headquarters at 03-87768926, investigating officer Inspector Mohd Ridzuan Mohd Rosli at 011-14453057, or assistant investigating officer Sergeant Nicholas Anak Idel at 018-7017291.

The man's body was found on the morning of Aug 27 in the wheel bay of an aircraft that landed at KLIA2 after a flight from Tokyo, Japan.

It was discovered by engineering staff carrying out an inspection of the wheel bay after they detected a foul smell.

The body had no identification documents and was estimated to be that of a man aged between 17 and 25 based on his physical build.

Initial examination also found no signs of injury on the body.

The man was wearing a white hoodie featuring a dragon at the back and the word 'OAKLEY' at the front, along with light blue jeans, a brown leather belt, socks and black sports shoes.

The body was later sent to the Serdang Hospital Forensic Department for a post-mortem, while investigations are being conducted under the SDR procedure.

Police hope information from relatives or acquaintances of missing persons during the period concerned will help identify the victim and assist in completing the investigation.