A serial killer has reportedly been active in Uttara targeting middle-aged landladies in the area, says police.
They said the serial killer has already carried out four attacks leaving three dead and one critically injured.
All the attacks have taken place in Uttara’s Dakkhin Khan area in the capital.
The first attack was on July 24. Sahida Begum, a resident of North Gawair of Dakkhin Khan was visited by a man who wanted to rent an apartment.
It was thought to be a murder and robbery since the murderer had made off with her gold ornaments.
On August 21, Suraiya Akther, a landlady in East Mollartek, was killed in the same manner.
Another attack took place on August 31. The suspect tried to kill Jebunnesa Chowdhury, owner of a house in Dakkhin Azampur. She survived the attack and is now undergoing treatment. Both her eyes have been damaged in the attack.
The latest attack was on September 7 on Wahida Akther Shima, 48, of Danipara area of Gawair, Dakkhin Khan. Her husband Sohrab Hossain filed a murder case with Dakkhin Khan police station.
The case statement states that a flat on the sixth floor of the house was empty and a man sought to rent it. After initial discussions, Shima took him to show the flat around.
Shima’s body was later found by his family members who grew concerned after she had not returned.
She was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital immediately but the doctors declared her dead.
After discussions, he asked her to show him around the apartment. Her body was later found on the floor of the empty apartment.
Uttara police have been investigating the attacks after reports were filed.
Uttara Deputy Commissioner of Police Bidhan Tripura said: “After analysing the crime scene, we suspect that all four attacks were carried out by the same person. We think he may be suffering from mental illness.
“The serial killer might be targeting landladies for a reason.”
The issue became more prominent as CCTV footage went viral on social media and the people of Dakkhin Khan voicing their concerns.
From the CCTV footage, the suspect appears to be around 30-35 years old and dresses in a suit.
According to witnesses and police investigation, it appears that the perpetrator goes around looking for apartments to rent. Once an apartment with a To-Let sign found, it may be that he stakes it out to confirm whether there is a landlady or not.
The suspect tries to persuade the landlady for a private tour of the apartment and attacks when they are secluded.
From the wounds and witness testimony, it has been confirmed that he uses a machete.
Warnings were issued in the neighbourhood to create local awareness. Authorities have asked locals to instruct their guards to be more vigilant.
Locals expressed their consternation yesterday as the perpetrator was yet to be caught.
Uttara police are coordinating with members of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit, Detective Branch (DB) and Rapid Action Battalion as they are also conducting shadow investigations. Law enforcement agencies suspect that the killer might have left the area since they have increased vigilance.
Sheikh Rukunuzzaman, inspector (investigation) of Dakkhin Khan police station, said there were no CCTV cameras in any of the houses attacked.
“We have captured a CCTV footage from a building next door which is our lead. But the suspect’s face is not clear,” he said.
“We are attempting to draw a picture of the suspected killer taking help of the CCTV footage and information of witnesses and area of the people,” he added.
In 2009, another serial killer named Rashu Kha was arrested after he had killed 11 women.
