A shocking case of domestic violence has emerged in South Sumatra, Indonesia, where a 23-year-old man allegedly murdered his own mother in a brutal act linked to his addiction to online gambling.
The incident took place in Desa Karang Dalam, Pulau Pinang district, Lahat Regency, following the discovery of the victim’s dismembered remains, which were buried in a nearby plantation on Wednesday. Authorities described the crime as deeply disturbing and inhumane.
Lahat Police Criminal Investigation Chief, AKP Muhammad Ridho Pradani, said initial investigations revealed that the suspect, identified as AF, became enraged after his mother refused to give him money to fund his online slot gambling activities.
“The argument escalated before the suspect grabbed a machete and repeatedly attacked his mother, severing her head,” he said. In an apparent attempt to destroy evidence, the suspect then tried to burn the body using petrol.
However, after the fire died down, the suspect reportedly proceeded to dismember the body further, placing the remains into four plastic sacks before disposing of them. Such acts, police noted, reflect an extreme level of violence and desperation tied to unchecked behavioural addictions.
To ensure the crime remained hidden, AF allegedly paid two of his friends 300,000 rupiah (approximately RM69) to dig a hole in a plantation about 20 metres from the victim’s home, where the body parts were later buried.
The case came to light after family members grew suspicious when the victim had been missing for nearly a week. Local residents also reported unusual digging activities carried out under the suspect’s instructions, along with a strong, foul odour coming from the area.
The suspect was eventually arrested at a rented house in Kelurahan Bandar Agung. He reportedly confessed to the killing without hesitation and is now in police custody as investigations continue.
