Preventing Mass Amukan, Police Secure 2 Children's Murder House In Bengkulu

Bengkulu Police Chief Kombes Pol Sudarno when delivering a release at the Bengkulu Police Headquarters. Tuesday (22/4/2025) (ANTARA/Anggi Mayasari)

BENGKULU - The police alerted their personnel to guard at PT (17)'s house, the suspect in the murder case of two minors, namely AR (8) and AA (9).

This security measure was taken because one of the victim's parents was a member of the Indonesian Navy (AL), as well as to avoid potential public anger at the suspect's heinous act.

"Members of the Sector Police, bhabinkamtibmas, RT, and RW are on standby at the suspect's house," said Bengkulu Police Chief Kombes Pol Sudarno in Bengkulu City, Tuesday.

The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, April 15, at around 16.00 WIB in a fish pond located behind the suspect's house. At 18.00 WIB, the suspect dumped AR's body into the Star Direction Bridge. The body was later found in the waters of Muara Jengalu.

Sudarno added that the two parents of the suspect had been secured and placed in a safe location to prevent unwanted things.

"We hope that the public will remain calm. This case is being handled by the police and will be processed according to the applicable law. We urge that there be no vigilant action," he said.

From the results of the examination, it was found that the motive for the murder was based on the suspect's heartache because the two victims fished in his pond.

Behind the suspect's house is a pet fish pond. When the fish were missing and the victim was found around the location, the suspect smothered them and pinned them until they drowned, "explained Sudarno.

The autopsy results on AA's body showed bruises on the cheeks, forehead, and neck, as well as deaths caused by strangulation. Meanwhile, the condition of AR's damaged body makes the exact cause of death uncertain.

Sudarno added, based on the investigation, the two parents of the suspect were not involved and did not know about the crime, because they rarely were at home.

After the incident, the suspect sprinkled fresh lime, lemongrass leaves, and other ingredients into the septic tank to remove the smell. Between the suspect and the victim did know each other because their house was close together," he said.

The victim's body AA was thrown into a septic tank because the suspect admitted that he did not have enough time to throw it elsewhere.

For his actions, PT was charged with Article 80 paragraph (3) of Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Amendments to Law Number 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection, as well as Article 338 of the Criminal Code (KUHP), with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.