By Simon Khoo

TEMERLOH, Malaysia: The parents of murdered schoolgirl Chua Li Yen feel betrayed that the youth they cared for over the past two years turned out to be the "monster" who killed their daughter.

The victim's father Chua Yunn Jiang, 43, said they had provided the 22-year-old suspect with food and shelter since Li Yen decided to go steady with him.

"We continued to care for him even after they had broken up.

"I pitied him because he came from a broken family. Instead of being grateful, he did this to my daughter," said Chua when met at his home in Taman Seri Bera, Kerayong near here yesterday.

Chua also expressed anger when he learnt from Li Yen's friends that the suspect had previously assaulted his daughter.

Li Yen's friend, Joey Leong, 17, revealed the man had assaulted Li Yen several times, but the deceased did not dare tell her parents for fear that it would anger her father who had heart problems.

"We never expected her to end up getting killed in such a cruel manner," she said.

Leong, who was interviewed at Chua's house, also claimed the man had forced Li Yen to swallow psychotropic pills before taking naked pictures of her and shooting a short video.

She claimed the incident took place sometime in December last year.

Leong said Li Yen lived in fear with the boyfriend for a few months, before she revealed the sordid details to Leong and three other schoolmates.

"We decided to sneak into his room when he was at work. After a long search, we found the memory card containing the pictures and video.

"Li Yen immediately deleted all the contents before summoning the courage to break off with him," she said.

On Friday, the remains of Li Yen, 17, was found beside a drain of an empty shoplot in Mentakab, a week after she was reported missing.

OCPD Asst Comm Ahmad Fadzillah Mohamed said police had applied for a remand order on the suspect until May 16.

He said the suspect had also led police to the scene of crime where several items belonging to the victim had been retrieved in Kampung Senggora, Maran. --The Star/Asia News Network