Kuala Lumpur  - A Myanmar refugee in Malaysia discovered three members of his family dead with stab wounds at their home in Kuala Lumpur, reports said Wednesday.

His 1-year-old daughter was spared by the killers, and found crying over her mother's body, the Star daily reported.

The victims, a 39-year old woman, her 7-year old daughter and their 22-year old relative, all UN-sponsored refugees, had been living in Malaysia for the past three years.

"The mother was found dead in the master bedroom while the other two were in the living room," said district police chief Abdul Jalil Hassan, who suspected that robbery may have been the motive.

Police also recovered a blood-stained kitchen knife at the back of the house, believe to be the murder weapon.

"There were also signs of a struggle and the back door was forced open," said Abdul, adding that initial investigations indicated that the family may have known their assailants. (dpa)