The Grief Came Too Soon, Not Long Ago They Lived In The Luxurious Pulomas House, But Fate Said Otherwise

JAKARTA – Two days have passed since the incident where a family died from being electrocuted by a water heater in the elite housing complex of West Pulomas, East Jakarta. The incident, which killed four people in a row in the bathroom, reportedly occurred on Sunday, March 20, at around 16.30 WIB.

Summarizing the news, the victim died in the name of Bernard Gunawan (37) husband, Novianti (29) wife, a toddler boy with the initials EA (1) and a baby sitter named Suratmi (51). The four were found dead in the bathroom in a state of sticking together.

Fauziah, a household assistant who is also Suratmi's younger sister, said that at the time of the incident she was in a separate room. He was surprised the condition of the house was deserted. But Suratmi was surprised when she saw that the bathroom had four people piled up.

Due to panic, Fauziah contacted local security, so she was forwarded to the Pulogadung Police Sector.

"(The victim's body) is still in the bathroom. All of them have been released (the victim stuck to each other) by the officers. (The victim) There are 4 people in the bathroom," said Fauziah.

Based on the information, that night the body was evacuated and immediately taken to Heaven's funeral home. But not with Suratmi. Fauzi said that his brother's body was taken to Wonogiri, Central Java, his village.

"(Suratmi's body) I want to take my family home in Wonogiri, Central Java for burial. My sister (a babysitter), she has been working for two years," said Fauziah.

Meanwhile, the Pulogadung Police Chief, Kompol David, explained that the house was inhabited by five people namely, Bernard, Novianti, AE, Suratmi and a household assistant (survived).

According to witness statements, continued Kompol David, the incident began at around 16.00 WIB. That afternoon, Novianti was bathing her son with the initials EA in the bathtub.

"Suddenly the electricity shorted. The initial assumption was that the shower heater plug was attached to the heater. So (the electric shock) was hit by the baby and the mother finally (had) screamed for help," Kompol David told reporters, Monday, March 21.

Then, continued David, a babysitter named Suratmi came to the bathroom. It turned out that Novianti was electrocuted. Likewise, Suratmi was also electrocuted.

"Then the husband (Bernard) who was eating rushed to the wife and children who were in the bathroom. Bernard came towards the screams of his wife and child who were in the bathroom," explained David.

"There were 5 people in the house. Not long after, this helper (Fauzi) had a separate room. He didn't know but he heard screams. He went to the bathroom and found the position of the victims (4 people) already lying down," said Commissioner David. David also said that the owner of the house was the parent of the deceased.

"So this is his son (victim) wants to live there, the house has only been renovated for 2 months. Just wants to occupy it." David explained to VOI. Testimonies of local residents, before being occupied the house had been empty for a long time

According to a VOI source at the scene, the large house located at Jalan Pulomas Barat 12, No. 4, RT 003/10, Kayu Putih Village, Pulogadung District, East Jakarta, previously empty, the owner had not been occupied for about two years.

"Previously it was empty, there were only assistants and gardeners, two people. (The owner of the house) had many houses," said the witness who did not want to be named.

Then, continued the witness, Bernard began living in the house with his family in January 2022.

"Bernard has lived since January 2022. I think he's the third or fourth child. Because (the residents who live in this complex) are closed, they don't socialize," he said.

According to witnesses, Bernard was known to be quite friendly. In fact, during the Chinese New Year celebrations, Bernard had time to give red packets to security at the security post.

"Had come to the post during Chinese New Year, gave red packets. The people were quite friendly," said one security officer to VOI at the location, Tuesday, March 22.

According to officers, the area of the house is approximately 500 meters, and the condition of the building is different from the others, in plots. And his assistants live separately from other buildings.

"Many of the buildings are inside, plotted (houses). The maid (who survived) is in the house next to her but it is still one yard," he said.

Crime scene

After waiting two days for the victim's grief, the police were only able to carry out the crime scene. The Puslabfor Polri Headquarters found an electric current leak in the water heater installation.

East Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Pol Budi Sartono said his party had conducted a crime scene investigation on Tuesday, March 22, noon.

"Puslabfor has come to check the source and how the short circuit occurred," said Kombes Pol Budi to reporters at the scene, Tuesday, March 22.

The police chief confirmed that four of the victims were electrocuted.

"It has been explained that his death was due to an electrical short circuit. There are two witnesses who have been examined. From the family and assistants who were there when they saw the victim," explained the Police Chief.

Meanwhile, the Dantim for TKP Processing of the Puslabfor Polri Headquarters Kompol Karya said, from the results of the TKP, his party found evidence of a leaking current in the water heater installation.

"At the TKP, we found evidence that caused the family to die due to electric shock. We found a leaking current in the water heater installation," Kompol Karya told reporters.

According to Kompol Karya, from the installation it should be continued down a canal to the ground. (but) It enters the installation so that it hits the handle where there is a conductor.

"Because of the wet conditions, it could lead to the incident. We have secured the evidence, and we will investigate it further in the laboratory," he said.