Police in Barishal have launched a murder investigation after recovering the bound body of a 65-year-old retired primary school teacher from her locked flat in the early hours of Thursday, 31 October.

The victim, Amena Khanam, originally from Mehendiganj Upazila, had dedicated her career to teaching at a government primary school in her hometown. Following her retirement, she relocated to Barishal city, renting a second-floor apartment in the Khalpar area along Bhati Khana Rokeya Azim Road, under the jurisdiction of Kaunia Police Station. She had been residing there alone for roughly a year. Her son, Rifat, works as an officer at a private bank in Dhaka.

The tragedy came to light late on Wednesday evening when neighbours noticed an overpowering stench spreading from the apartment block. The homeowner, Rina Begum, was alerted to the situation and immediately contacted the victim’s son in the capital. Unable to reach his mother despite repeated attempts, Rifat promptly notified the local authorities.

A police team arrived at the scene around 4:30 am on Thursday. Officers found the entrance door locked from the outside. Upon forcing the lock, they discovered Amena Khanam lying dead on her bed, her hands and feet tightly bound with cloth.

Deputy Commissioner of Barishal Metropolitan Police, Sushanta Sarkar, confirmed that officers acted on a direct call from the victim’s son. The condition of the remains suggests the death occurred a few days prior to the discovery.

The body was dispatched to the morgue at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Detectives expect the forensic report to establish the precise cause and timeline of death. Crime scene investigators gathered physical evidence from the flat, while detectives began mapping out her final interactions and reviewing nearby security footage to identify who had visited the property.

The discovery has sent shockwaves through the local neighbourhood, raising safety concerns among elderly residents living alone in urban areas. Law enforcement officials emphasised that all possible motives, including robbery and personal dispute, remain under active consideration as they work to track down those responsible.