Police are investigating the murder of a 37-year-old Muslim man whose headless body was found on an island off the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga.

Police said villagers reported the body on Tuesday after it was discovered due to the foul stench from decomposition in the village of Landang Gua on Sacol Island, just several minutes by boat from Zamboanga City.

The head was also recovered near the cadaver, said Maj. Shellamie Chang, a regional police spokesman, who identified the victim as Ibnohasim Turabi Hamid, a native of the island.

Chang said Hamid’s family reported him missing last week.

“Investigation revealed that the beheaded body was found in the grassy area and was later identified as Ibnohasim Turabi Hamid,” she said. “The victim also sustained several hack wounds in different parts of his body and was already in the state of decomposition. He was believed to have died four days ago.”

She said Hamid’s family retrieved his body and immediately buried him in accordance with Muslim custom.

“The personnel of Zamboanga City Police Station 4 is conducting a follow-up investigation to identify the suspects and determine the motive of the killing,” Chang said.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the murder, and Hamid’s family did not give any statement into the killing or its motive.