Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan has stated that reports circulating on social media claiming the woman who died at the Maldives National University (MNU) dormitory attempted to contact the police before her death are untrue.

During a press conference at the President’s Office today, Minister Ihusaan clarified that on the night of the 20th of this month, a message was received from the woman via the Maldives Police Service Victim Support Viber number at 8:40 PM. Victim Support responded and remained in contact until 8:49 PM, with her last reply during that window coming at 8:50 PM.

The Minister detailed that at 8:53 PM, she sent two more messages stating she was fine, followed by a message at 8:56 PM saying she was going out.

"No further messages were received until 12:38 AM that same night, when a message saying 'I'm gone' was sent to the line. Police responded immediately at 12:42 AM," the Minister said.

The Minister noted that stories have been spreading on social media suggesting the deceased had tried to call the police Family and Child Protection Department (FCPD) and 911 multiple times.

"This is categorically false. Neither the police nor any government emergency numbers have any record of receiving calls from this individual or her number," the Minister stated.

Minister Ihusaan explained that after the woman went offline and failed to respond to the final messages from Victim Support, they contacted the Police Command Center at approximately 1:03 AM to request an officer be dispatched. Police arrived at the dormitory at 1:08 AM and identified her specific room at 1:32 AM.

Explaining the delay in entering the room, the Minister said, "Looking at the efforts made until 1:32 AM, since it was late at night, time was spent getting assistance from the staff on-site and contacting the relevant persons to obtain the necessary information."

The Minister added that police eventually entered the room through a ventilation window. He also confirmed that the deceased was someone who had sought police assistance on previous occasions.

The Minister further stated that an internal review will be conducted regarding the police's handling of the matter and that independent institutions will also investigate the case.