A part-time model was found dead in a drain in the Malaysian city of Seremban last Friday.

The body of Miss Cheok Hui Min was found by a couple who were jogging around 7.30am.

There were bruises on her neck and body, and she was believed to have been strangled before being thrown into the drain, the New Straits Times reported.

The 22-year-old had participated in a beauty pageant organised by a Chinese daily earlier this year.

A male relative said Miss Cheok had gone out to look for a friend to get back a tablet the day she went missing.

She was the youngest of three children, reported The Star.

Her father, who requested anonymity, said he had spoken to her last week.

He said that after his divorce, Miss Cheok lived with his ex-wife in Kuala Lumpur. He lives in Port Dickson.

"She was a very filial daughter. She would find time to help her mother sell flowers," he said.

The family intends to keep news of her death from her ailing grandmother, 72, as they are afraid she will not be able to take the news.

They plan to tell her that Miss Cheok has found a job overseas and got married there, reported China Press.

Seremban police chief Assistant Commissioner Zainal Abu confirmed the case and said police were waiting for a post-mortem report to determine the cause of death.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service was held for Miss Cheok on Sunday.

One of her friends, who wanted to be known only as Tam, described her as a chirpy, happy-go-lucky person who loved modelling.

"I think we are all still in shock that she is gone. She was a happy person and a good friend," he said, adding that Miss Cheok had recently opened a florist outlet in the city.

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