Going Without News, Elderly Found Dead In The Middle Of The Merawang Bangka Palm Oil Plantation

The joint team from the Bangka Police Criminal Investigation Unit Identification Unit, Merawang Police, and assisted by the Bangka Belitung Islands (Babel) K-9 Police Team, evacuated the body of Muhidin Latif (74) who was found dead in an oil palm plantation, Rinding Panjang Village, Merawang District, Bangka, yesterday.

Merawang Police Chief, Iptu Syafruddin said Muhidin was previously reported missing by his biological child on Tuesday, July 29 at around 13.00 WIB. He was last seen going to the garden, but never came home until the evening.

"Receiving the report, we immediately conducted a search with personnel, but it was not successful. The next day we asked for help from the K-9 Polda Team to expand the search," said Syafruddin in Sungailiat, Antara, Thursday, July 31.

However, before the joint team found traces, Muhidin's body was found accidentally by a farmer who was spraying grass in an oil palm plantation. The victim was found on his back and had emitted a pungent odor under a mangosteen tree.

From the results of the examination by the medical team of the Batu Rusa Health Center and the police, there were no signs of violence on the victim's body. The body is thought to have died more than 48 hours before it was found.

"The victim's belongings are still intact. At the location, a wallet containing Rp. 37 thousand, SIM, ID card, BPJS card, Yasin's book containing BPKB, seven plastic packages containing medicines, and the victim still wearing sandals," said Syafruddin.

The victim's family refused an autopsy because they believed there was no element of violence. They said that Muhidin had a history of heart disease and dementia.

"We have handed over the body to the family for burial in Pangkalpinang," said Syafruddin.