Elderly couple, domestic worker found dead at home in Sylhet

An elderly couple and their domestic worker were found dead at their home in Sylhet city's Raynagar residential area this morning (12 August), with police suspecting that they were murdered.

The bodies of Abdus Sattar Mia, 90, his wife Suraiya Begum, 75, and their 25-year-old domestic worker were recovered from Mitali 111 in Raynagar this morning.

Abdus Sattar Mia, a businessman and member of the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce, lived at his own home in Raynagar.

The couple had four children, two of whom live in London and two in the United States.

Sylhet Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khan Md Moinul Zaki confirmed the deaths.

He said police went to the house after receiving information from local residents and suspected the incident to be a murder.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sarwar Morshed Shamim, who visited the scene, said wardrobes and cupboards were found open. The police had learned that valuables, including gold, were missing.

"Whether it was a robbery or theft, or whether the three were killed for another reason, is being investigated. We are also looking into whether there was any family dispute," he said.

According to police, the three had been killed by blows from a sharp weapon, but the weapon had not yet been recovered.

The police commissioner said neighbours informed police in the morning that blood was coming out from underneath the door of the house and that the door was closed. A police team immediately went to the scene, opened the door and informed senior officials.

Teams from the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) specialising in crime scene investigations were also on their way to the scene.

"We have formed a special team to investigate the incident," Sarwar Morshed Shamim said.

According to the statement of a tenant, screams and shouting were heard in the morning. Based on this, police believe the incident took place in the morning, adding that further investigation would reveal more details.

Mohammad Manzurul Alam, additional deputy commissioner (media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said the circumstances surrounding the deaths could not be confirmed immediately.

"Police personnel are working at the scene after recovering the bodies," he said, adding that further details would be provided later.

Munna Mia, nephew of the deceased couple, said his aunt and uncle lived alone at the Raynagar house with a domestic worker.

He said they had spoken to the couple at around 9am and believed the three were killed sometime after that.