Petauke, Zambia – The decomposed body of a missing teenager, James Banda, 16, was discovered in a maize field near Rock City Night Club in Petauke, Eastern Province, sparking suspicions of foul play.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed that the boy, from Anusa village, disappeared on New Year’s Eve after allegedly breaking into a shop to steal goods.

“The deceased left home around 11:00 hours and never returned. His body was found yesterday at 07:00 hours near a footpath by an unidentified individual, who alerted his cousin, Catra Nyangu, before reporting the matter to police,” said Mr. Mweemba.

The body, which was in a decomposed state, has been buried at Anusa graveyard with markings to allow for potential exhumation as investigations continue. Police suspect foul play in the teenager’s death.