Indonesia has been shocked by the arrest of three siblings accused of murdering and burying their own father in a dried-up river area in Malaka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
The gruesome case came to light after villagers discovered a human skull and skeletal remains in a dry riverbed in Dusun Aitiris B, Desa Meotroi, Laenmanen district, before alerting the authorities.
The victim was identified as AN, 47, a local farmer.
Malaka Police Chief Riki Ganjar Gumilar said investigations led to the arrest of three suspects identified as YDA, 27, ADN, 18, and AN, 17.
According to police, all three suspects are the biological children of the victim.
Preliminary investigations revealed the alleged motive behind the killing was resentment towards the victim, who was said to have frequently verbally abused and committed acts of violence against his wife, who is also the suspects’ mother.
“Investigations found that the motive for the murder is believed to stem from anger as the victim often insulted and abused his wife,” Riki said on Sunday.
Police believe the two adult suspects carried out the fatal assault, while the 17-year-old allegedly assisted by digging a hole and helping bury the victim’s body at the scene.
The skeletal remains were later taken to the Nurobo Health Centre for medical examination and post-mortem procedures.
Authorities confirmed that the two adult suspects are currently being held at the Malaka Police Detention Centre, while the teenage suspect remains under investigation in accordance with child protection procedures.
The case is being investigated under Articles 458 Paragraphs (1) and (2) in conjunction with Article 20(c) of Indonesia’s Penal Code related to murder, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
Police said investigations are still ongoing, including efforts to complete evidence collection and determine the specific role played by each suspect in the incident.
