Indonesian police have arrested a man accused of fatally stabbing his wife at a rented room in Tamalate district, Makassar, South Sulawesi.
The suspect, identified as SH, 21, was detained after allegedly killing his wife, AN, 24, whose body was discovered inside the couple’s rented accommodation on Sunday night.
Tamalate Police Criminal Investigation Unit chief Abdul Latif said preliminary investigations revealed the suspect allegedly acted out of resentment, claiming he had frequently been subjected to verbal abuse by the victim.
According to investigators, the couple’s marital problems were believed to have stemmed from financial difficulties, with the victim reportedly urging her husband to find a better-paying job.
“The motive for this murder is believed to be resentment. Based on the suspect’s statement, he was often scolded and insulted by his wife.
“The initial trigger was related to economic issues, as the victim frequently pressured him to seek employment with a higher salary,” Abdul Latif told reporters on Tuesday.
Police also revealed that the relationship had been troubled for some time, including disputes linked to the victim’s jealousy after she allegedly noticed marks on the suspect’s neck that led her to suspect infidelity.
The fatal incident is believed to have occurred during an argument inside the rented room before the suspect allegedly attacked the victim with a badik, a traditional Bugis-Makassar dagger.
“The suspect claimed he could no longer tolerate the insults directed at him before allegedly stabbing the victim. So far, the injury identified on the victim is a wound to the neck,” Abdul Latif said.
Police have seized the weapon believed to have been used in the attack as evidence.
When first detained, the suspect allegedly claimed that a struggle had taken place and that both parties had stabbed each other.
However, following further questioning, he reportedly admitted that the injuries found on his own body were self-inflicted in an attempt to mislead investigators.
Based on preliminary findings, police have named SH as the main suspect and charged him under Article 458(2) of Indonesia’s Criminal Code, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years upon conviction.
The case came to light after local residents alerted authorities to the discovery of the victim’s body inside the rented room.
“We received information from members of the public regarding a suspected murder. Upon arrival, officers found the victim lying on the floor with injuries to her neck,” Abdul Latif said.
Police noted that the victim’s husband was not present at the scene when the body was found, prompting an investigation that ultimately led to his arrest.
