A man from Desa Rompu-rompu, North Poleang, Bombana in Southeast Sulawesi brutally ended his wife’s life over a minor argument in the middle of the night.
The tragic incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday (September 30) when the suspect, identified only as S, was asked by his wife, J, to boil some water to prepare milk for their baby.
What started as a simple request quickly escalated into deadly rage. Enraged, S allegedly poured boiling water on his wife, prompting her to flee toward the back of their house. Unsatisfied, the suspect reportedly chased her with a machete and stabbed her to death in the bushes behind their home.
Bombana Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief, Iptu Yudha Febri Widanarko, said investigations revealed that the murder stemmed from frequent domestic disputes between the couple.
“The suspect was angry because he wasn’t served food and became even more emotional when his wife refused to comply with his demands. The argument reached its peak when the victim asked him to boil water for their baby’s milk, which led to the brutal act,” he said.
After the killing, the suspect allegedly tried to mislead investigators by hiding evidence, including the machete used in the attack.
“He even pretended to have discovered his wife’s body himself and claimed she was murdered by an unknown person,” Yudha added.
The deception fell apart when police gathered witness statements confirming S’s involvement.
The suspect was arrested by a special police unit in Rompu-rompu on Saturday (October 4, 2025), four days after the murder.
The 35-year-old victim was found in a horrific state, with multiple stab wounds and bruises across her body.
Police are now finalizing their investigation, and S is expected to face charges of murder and domestic violence resulting in death.
