KOTA KINABALU, Oct 8 — Emotions ran high in the Coroner’s Court here today as the cheerful voice of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, speaking affectionately to her mother, echoed through the courtroom during the inquest into the Form One student’s death.

The victim’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, 46, the 81st witness in the proceedings, appeared visibly emotional and choked up as she listened to the recording of her conversation with her only child before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.

A total of 42 audio recordings were submitted as evidence, 35 of which captured conversations between Zara Qairina and her mother while the teenager was still alive.

Throughout the recordings, Zara Qairina could be heard speaking cheerfully and affectionately as she shared various aspects of her daily life with her mother.