Forensic pathologist Dr. Jessie Hiu has filed a police report after receiving death threats online following her testimony in the coroner’s inquest into the death of Form 1 student Zara Qairina Mahathir. Kota Kinabalu Police Chief Kasim Muda confirmed the report, stating that Dr. Hiu was informed of the threats by the director of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, according to Berita Harian.
During her testimony on September 3, 2025, Dr. Hiu stated that Zara’s death was unlikely to have resulted from an accidental fall or from being pushed from a standing position at the scene. The inquest, which began after allegations of bullying surfaced, is investigating the circumstances surrounding Zara’s death on July 17, 2025, one day after she allegedly fell from the third floor of her school hostel in Papar, Sabah.
Dr. Hiu’s findings sparked significant backlash on social media, with some users questioning her conclusions and professional credibility. Hamid Ismail, the lawyer representing Zara’s mother, called on the public to respect Dr. Hiu, emphasizing that insulting her serves no purpose and does not benefit the case.
In her testimony, Dr. Hiu suggested it was possible that Zara had climbed the concrete wall on the third floor of the hostel. However, she deferred to the court to determine whether Zara had jumped intentionally. Her professional opinion was provided in response to questions about the injuries sustained by the teenager prior to her death.
Dr. Hiu, a forensic pathologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu since 1998, has extensive experience as an expert witness, testifying on average 10 to 15 times annually in magistrates’, sessions, and High Courts in Sabah and Labuan.
The inquest is scheduled to resume on September 8, 2025.
