DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – An autopsy has confirmed that a 26-year-old Indonesian woman found dead in a boarding house in Denpasar died from manual strangulation, with police alleging the fatal assault was carried out by her Singaporean boyfriend.
The victim, identified by the initials AS, was found dead on Wednesday (July 15) at a boarding house on Jalan Mekar II, Pedungan, South Denpasar. Police arrested the suspect, MZ, 25, a Singaporean national, approximately three hours after the body was discovered.
According to Denpasar Deputy Police Chief AKBP Ketut Widiarta, the autopsy conducted at Prof. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital found that the cause of death was blunt force injuries to the neck consistent with manual strangulation.
Medical examiners also documented bruising on the victim’s face, including the lips, forehead, and left temple. Internal examinations revealed bleeding in the neck muscles and surrounding tissue, as well as a fracture of the hyoid bone, injuries commonly associated with forceful strangulation.
Police estimate the victim died between three and five days before her body was taken to the hospital in the early hours of Thursday (July 16).
Investigators said the incident began on Friday (July 10) when the victim returned to her boarding house at around 4:00 a.m. WITA.
According to the suspect’s statement, he asked the victim to end their relationship. When she refused, an argument broke out.
“After becoming emotional, the suspect strangled the victim with both hands for approximately 10 to 15 minutes until she lost consciousness,” Widiarta said.
Police allege that after the victim became unresponsive, the suspect moved her body into an adjacent room, covered it with a carpet, and placed stuffed toys on top in an apparent attempt to conceal the body.
Investigators said the suspect then left the victim’s body inside the room for several days.
The crime came to light after the victim’s sibling, identified by the initials RA, visited the boarding house on Wednesday evening because family members had been unable to contact her.
RA reportedly noticed a strong odor inside the property and searched for its source before discovering the victim’s body hidden beneath a carpet and stuffed toys.
Police said the suspect fled the scene on a motorcycle after encountering the victim’s sibling outside the room.
“When the body was found, it was swollen and parts of the skin had already begun to peel,” Widiarta said.
Investigators also revealed that the suspect allegedly attempted to mask the odor of decomposition by using air freshener inside the room.
Police are coordinating with the Singaporean Embassy and the Singapore Police liaison office in Jakarta as part of the ongoing investigation.
The suspect has been charged under Indonesia’s Criminal Code with murder and aggravated assault resulting in death, offenses that carry a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
During the press conference, the victim’s sibling expressed appreciation to Bali Police, Denpasar Police, and South Denpasar Police for their swift response and hoped the suspect would receive an appropriate legal sentence.