As a follow-up to my August 15 posting ("Frenchwoman's Body May Have Been Found on Tioman Island," DNA analysis last week has confirmed that the remains found in a cave are in fact those of Stephanie Foray, 30. Forensic pathologists have concluded, based on an autopsy of Ms. Foray's remains, that she was struck on the head with a bottle, presumably when she refused to have sex with her assailant (now in custody).
COMMENT: It should be noted that the alleged assailant, 36, who lives near the cave in which Ms. Foray's remains were found, led police to her remains, as he lives near the cave. He also told authorities that he had been drinking heavily the day that he attacked Foray. Police also found Foray's mobile phone and other effects on the suspect, at which point he led police to the dump on the island where the murder weapon, a bottle, was collected as evidence. The suspect was formally charged with murder yesterday.
Investigators have yet, however, to confirm forensically whether Ms. Foray was actually raped. Hence, they are still waiting for the return of analytical reports.
Foray's mother and sister arrived in Malaysia earlier in the week to identify the remains.
Foray, who worked as a communication officer in France, arrived in Malaysia on May 5, after touring India and Sri Lanka for several months. She then visited the capital of Kuala Lumpur and left there on May 7, before taking a ferry to Tioman. Foray's family contacted the French Embassy in June, when they could not reach her.
As a retired US Embassy Regional Security Officer I cannot tell you the number of cases I've investigated where the victims had been traveling alone. Going solo definitely increases a traveler's risk to vulnerabilities that they might otherwise not face, so I normally don't recommend it.
I have also investigated a good number of rapes abroad, and would suggest to women traveling alone that surviving an attack is paramount. Hence, whether to resist a rapist or not is a question that must be decided in a matter of seconds. Hopefully, a would-be victim makes the right choice. For women traveling alone, I would also recommend security awareness and defensive tactics training before initiating travel.
COMMENT: It should be noted that the alleged assailant, 36, who lives near the cave in which Ms. Foray's remains were found, led police to her remains, as he lives near the cave. He also told authorities that he had been drinking heavily the day that he attacked Foray. Police also found Foray's mobile phone and other effects on the suspect, at which point he led police to the dump on the island where the murder weapon, a bottle, was collected as evidence. The suspect was formally charged with murder yesterday.
Investigators have yet, however, to confirm forensically whether Ms. Foray was actually raped. Hence, they are still waiting for the return of analytical reports.
Foray's mother and sister arrived in Malaysia earlier in the week to identify the remains.
Foray, who worked as a communication officer in France, arrived in Malaysia on May 5, after touring India and Sri Lanka for several months. She then visited the capital of Kuala Lumpur and left there on May 7, before taking a ferry to Tioman. Foray's family contacted the French Embassy in June, when they could not reach her.
As a retired US Embassy Regional Security Officer I cannot tell you the number of cases I've investigated where the victims had been traveling alone. Going solo definitely increases a traveler's risk to vulnerabilities that they might otherwise not face, so I normally don't recommend it.
I have also investigated a good number of rapes abroad, and would suggest to women traveling alone that surviving an attack is paramount. Hence, whether to resist a rapist or not is a question that must be decided in a matter of seconds. Hopefully, a would-be victim makes the right choice. For women traveling alone, I would also recommend security awareness and defensive tactics training before initiating travel.
