Distraught father kills children, commits suicide<\/p>\n
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): A grieving father killed five of his
\nchildren on Monday and seriously injured another son before
\ncommitting suicide in Karangasem, about 70 kilometers east of
\nDenpasar.<\/p>\n
Karangasem Police chief Lt. Col. Ida Bagus Wirama told
\nreporters on Tuesday that the murders occurred at about 1 a.m. in
\nthe family's home in Sidekarya village.<\/p>\n
Ni Nengah Alit, 25, Ni Nengah Sari, 16, I Komang Agung, 12, Ni
\nKomang Merta Ganti, 10 and Putu Eka Putra, 5, died after their
\nthroats were slashed. I Ketut Merta Jengki, 7, suffered wounds to
\nhis neck and abdomen but was able to ask for help from neighbors.<\/p>\n
Several witnesses said I Wayan Mangku Rai, who was in his mid-
\n40s, was distraught over the death of his first wife, Ni Komang
\nAgung, 46. Rai was also known to locals as a balian (traditional
\nhealer) under the name Manik Tengi.<\/p>\n
Neighbors said he spent the two previous nights sleeping next
\nto his wife's grave.<\/p>\n
Wirama quoted witnesses as saying that Rai asked the six
\nchildren to pray together in a family shrine at their house,
\nwhich stands on a 300-meter-high hill.<\/p>\n
Rai is believed to have cut the children's throats while they
\nslept.<\/p>\n
Wirama said neighbors and village officials found Rai dead
\nfrom a self-inflicted stab wound to the neck. His body lay on the
\nfront porch of the house and the children were found sprawled in
\na small bedroom.<\/p>\n
Jengki is being treated at Klungkung Hospital.<\/p>\n
\"The six bodies were properly taken care by the people and
\nburied at a village cemetery by local residents,\" Wirama said.<\/p>\n
All but Merta Ganti were Rai's children from his late first
\nwife.<\/p>\n
Rai also asked his second wife Ni Nengah Bunter, 34, to take
\npart in the prayer on Monday night, Wirama said.<\/p>\n
\"But Bunter refused. She and two of her three children slept
\nat her parents' house.\"<\/p>\n
Wirama said he was concerned by the tragedy.<\/p>\n
\"I'm very sad over this case. We now have to hold a
\npurification ceremony in the village which will be very costly.\"<\/p>\n
Balinese tradition stipulates that residents must conduct a
\nritual following unnatural deaths to prevent evil ramifications.
\nThe expense can range from Rp 20 million to hundreds of million
\nof rupiah. (zen\/edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/distraught-father-kills-children-commits-suicide-1447893297",
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