Corroded Chain and Padlock Silent Witnesses to Husband's Murder of Wife in Depok
A man, Ahmad Ronny Hasiholan (44), murdered his second wife, DH (56), in Meruyung, Limo, Depok, West Java. The victim was killed and her body left until only skeletal remains were discovered.
The case came to light after the victim’s family reported to police regarding the discovery of the body on Saturday, 7 March. At that time, the victim’s child and her partner were cleaning the house.
The victim’s child subsequently reported the incident to police. One day later, police arrested the perpetrator.
Police also seized numerous pieces of evidence from the case, which were displayed at a press conference in the conference room of the West Java Metro Police Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimum) building on Wednesday, 11 March 2026. Among the evidence items on display were a corroded padlock and chain, cables, rope, and the victim’s deteriorated clothing.
There were also photographs of a carpet, a mobile phone, and the victim’s vehicle, which the perpetrator had attempted to flee with after murdering the victim.
The Perpetrator’s Motive for Killing the Victim
Perpetrator Ahmad Ronny Hasiholan (44) was arrested by a joint team from the Rapid Response Unit of the West Java Metro Police Criminal Investigation Directorate on Sunday, 8 March at Jalan Cipete Raya Jatimulya, Tambun Selatan, Bekasi Regency.
Police revealed the motive behind Ahmad Ronny’s murder of his second wife, whose skeletal remains were discovered in Meruyung, Limo, Depok City, West Java. The couple’s second marriage occurred in December 2024. The suspect claimed to have killed the victim out of wounded feelings.
“The suspect, who is known to be unemployed, felt deeply hurt after being evicted from the house by the victim. He then committed the act of murder,” said Kombes Budi Hermanto, Head of Public Relations at the West Java Metro Police, to journalists on Monday, 9 March.
Police revealed that the perpetrator’s motive for killing the victim stemmed from economic problems. “The preliminary motive is believed to be rooted in economic issues,” he added.
Victim’s Body Sprinkled with Coffee
Police discovered coffee powder scattered around the body of the woman with initials DH (56), whose skeletal remains were found in Meruyung, Limo, Depok, West Java. The coffee was deliberately spread by the perpetrator to conceal the pungent odour following the murder.
“The coffee found at the crime scene was indeed scattered by the suspect to deceive or mask the foul odour caused by the decomposition of the victim’s body,” said Kombes Iman Imannudin, Director of the West Java Metro Police Criminal Investigation Directorate, to journalists on Wednesday, 11 March.
Iman said the perpetrator got the idea to scatter coffee whilst socialising at a fish auction market. According to him, the aroma of coffee would mask the putrid stench of the victim’s remains.
“This knowledge was obtained by the suspect whilst socialising with his associates at a fish auction or sales location,” he said.
Perpetrator Impersonated the Victim
Police revealed the actions of Ahmad Ronny Hasiholan (44) after murdering his second wife, DH (56), whose skeletal remains were discovered in Meruyung, Limo, Depok, West Java. Police stated that the perpetrator impersonated the victim.
“So why was there no suspicion? Because for some time after the murder occurred, the mobile phone belonging to the victim was controlled by the suspect, and the suspect communicated with people connected to the victim as if he were the victim,” said Kombes Iman Imannudin, Director of the West Java Metro Police Criminal Investigation Directorate, to journalists on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
Iman said the perpetrator did this so that the victim’s relatives would not become suspicious following the murder. The murder is believed to have occurred in mid-October 2025, whilst her skeletal remains were discovered several months later, specifically on Saturday, 7 March.
“So that people closest to the victim would not feel suspicious,” he said.
Facing 15 Years Imprisonment
Police have designated Ahmad Ronny Hasiholan (44) as a suspect in the case of murdering his second wife, DH (56), whose skeletal remains were discovered in Meruyung, Limo, Depok, West Java. Ronny is currently detained at the West Java Metro Police Detention Centre.
“The individual is currently being held in custody,” said Kombes Iman Imannudin, Director of the West Java Metro Police Criminal Investigation Directorate, at a press conference on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
Iman said the suspect is charged under Article 458(1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning murder. The suspect faces up to 15 years imprisonment.
“Against the suspect alleged to have committed a criminal act as stipulated in Article 458(1), with a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment,” he said.