A 35-year-old man, identified as SS, has been arrested over the alleged murder of his biological father, ID, 61, in a case believed to be driven by resentment after the suspect was reportedly not recognised as the victim’s son.
Bulukumba District Police Chief AKBP Restu Wijayanto said the victim’s body was discovered in a distressing condition at his seaweed storage hut in Mariorennu Village, Gantarang District, with severe injuries to the neck and abdomen caused by a sharp weapon.
The case came to light after the victim was reported missing for three days. His son, MF, later found the body at the location on Monday (30 March 2026), prompting immediate police action at the scene.
Authorities subsequently transported the remains for post-mortem examination and began collecting witness statements as part of the investigation into the incident.
Police said two suspects were identified in the case — SS and a 72-year-old neighbour identified as ML. Both were detained and interrogated before allegedly confessing to their involvement in the killing.
Investigations suggest the murder was premeditated, with the attack planned days earlier and carried out in the early hours while the victim was asleep in the hut.
According to police, ML allegedly carried out the initial assault using a machete, while SS also joined in the attack, resulting in fatal injuries to the victim.
Authorities revealed that the motive stemmed from long-standing personal grievances, including a feud involving ML and emotional frustration from SS over his alleged rejection by the victim.
Both suspects are now being held at the Bulukumba District Police Headquarters and will be charged under laws relating to premeditated murder, which carry penalties of life imprisonment or up to 20 years in jail.
