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KOTA KINABALU: The Coroner’s Court heard that Zara Qairina Mahathir showed changes in behaviour two days before she was found unconscious at the SMK Tun Mustapha hostel.

Counsel Joan Goh, who appeared with Datuk Ram Singh, said a Form Two student, the 65th deponent, testified that Zara became withdrawn on July 14 and appeared gloomy and unresponsive the following day when approached at school.

“She said Zara’s behaviour was very different from before, as she would normally respond and chat, but instead gave only a brief smile and walked away,” Goh said, adding the witness felt something was wrong as Zara showed stronger signs of stress.

Goh said the deponent also testified that Zara had previously expressed negative thoughts about herself, including mentioning wanting to commit suicide in what was perceived as a ‘dark joke’ and referring to making a “barcode”, which the witness understood as cutting her hand.

The court also heard that the deponent later informed her mother and a teacher about the incident months after it occurred and subsequently gave a statement to the police, while recounting her experience during a hostel meeting attended by police officers.