American sailor dies at motel

JAKARTA (JP): Foul play is not suspected in the death of an American sailor in a room at a North Jakarta motel, a hospital source said on Sunday.

Based on available documentation, the deceased was identified as Leonard Zimmerman, 57, a crew member of a ship docked at nearby Tanjung Priok Port, said Eddy of Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital morgue Eddy.

According to Eddy, the body was found at Wisma Podomore and admitted to the hospital's morgue at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday by officers from the North Jakarta police precinct.

"He probably died of illness. There were no signs of torture on his body."

Eddy said he did not know when body was found. Police officers informed him only that Zimmerman was found in one of the rooms at the motel.

Police gave the deceased's home address as 1926 Second Avenue in Washington D.C., he said.

Officers did not explain the circumstances of his death.

As of Sunday afternoon, his remains were kept at the morgue awaiting collection by next of kin.

"We'll keep the body for a while until his relatives come here to take it," Eddy said. (jun)