CIMMYT researcher found dead days after disappearance

The death of a research and development coordinator at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) has raised questions after his body was recovered three days following his disappearance while returning home from Dhaka.

Shahidul Islam, 42, a resident of Patuakhali, went missing on January 21 after visiting Standard Chartered Bank on Gulshan Avenue to deposit a pay order.

His mobile phone was switched off after noon, and he could not be contacted thereafter.

His father‑in‑law, Abu Saleh Uddin Ahmed, filed a general diary at Gulshan Police Station the same day.

On Saturday evening, police from the Dattapara Police Investigation Centre recovered an unidentified body from bushes near an underpass on the Highway Expressway adjacent to Surjyanagar Bazar in Shibchar upazila, Madaripur.

The body was later sent to Madaripur Sadar Hospital morgue.

Family members formally identified Shahidul this morning after photographs circulated on social media.

Police reported no visible injury marks on the body.

Shibchar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam confirmed the recovery of the body to The Daily Star.

“The exact cause of death cannot be determined without the post‑mortem and viscera reports,” said Sub‑Inspector Ijarat Hossain of Dattapara Police Investigation Centre, adding that Tk 2,900 in cash, a pair of shoes, and a black pair of spectacles were recovered from the scene.

OC of Gulshan Police Station, Rakibul Hasan, said CCTV footage showed Shahidul boarding a Turag Paribahan bus from Badda and travelling to Ekuria, Keraniganj, after which his movements could not be traced.

Shahidul’s wife, Shammi Akter, expressed grief and confusion, “He was a very cautious person. He would never consume food offered by strangers. Perhaps the post‑mortem report will help us understand the reason behind his death.”

Shahidul was laid to rest at his family graveyard in Serajpur village after his janaza this morning.

His younger brother, Md Ershad Ullah, said Shahidul had no known enemies and was well‑liked in the community.

Shahidul lived in Barishal with his wife and two sons -- Saifan Abdullah, 10, and Sadman Safin, 3.

He completed his honours degree at Patuakhali Science and Technology University and a master’s in agriculture at Sher‑e‑Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka. He joined CIMMYT in November 2014 and was working at its Alekanda office in Barishal.