Murdered French tourist loved local customs, court told

Sunday May 26, 2013 MYT 3:03:36 PM

KUANTAN: Murdered French tourist Stephanie Foray said in her last conversation with her mother that she was in a small town in Malaysia after spending two days in Kuala Lumpur.

Irene Mortel, 50, told the High Court here that her daughter was a cheerful, friendly girl who loves sports.

She liked to learn all sorts of local customs, which was why she embarked on a journey overseas in the first place.

She added that Foray was unemployed as she had decided to take two years off to travel.

“I last saw her on Nov 8, 2010. We spent eight days together before I drove her to the airport for her departure to India,” said Mortel from Les Choux, France, through an interpreter.

Mortel said Foray kept in contact with her through e-mails, phone calls and by sending parcels.

“My last contact with her was on May 8, 2011. She told me she was in a small town in Malaysia after spending two days in the capital city,” she said.

Mortel was testifying in the trial of trader Asni Omar, 37, who is charged with murdering Foray, 30, at an unnumbered house in Kampung Tekek, Pulau Tioman, between 8pm on May 10 and noon on May 12 last year.