Criminal Element Found, Death of West Papua TVRI Presenter Elevated to Investigation

The case of the death of West Papua TVRI presenter Suryanto Tuwing Idorway, also known as Yanto Idorway, has been upgraded from inquiry to investigation after police found indications of a criminal act.

Director of General Criminal Investigation at the West Papua Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Hesman Sotarduga Napitupulu, said the status upgrade was decided after investigators conducted a case review.

“The results of today’s case review found indications of a criminal act, so we have upgraded the status from inquiry to investigation,” Hesman said, as quoted by Antara on Monday (31/8).

The investigation is being handled by the Arfak Mountains Police with assistance from the General Criminal Investigation Directorate of the West Papua Regional Police.

Investigators will examine the entire sequence of events that led to Yanto’s death by linking witness statements, forensic examination results, crime scene processing, and evidence that has been secured.

To date, 23 witnesses have been examined, and the number may increase to complete the body of evidence.

“There is a possibility of additional witnesses being questioned by investigators to complete the evidence,” he said.

Hesman said the autopsy results on Yanto’s body have been received by investigators. However, investigators will still seek further testimony from experts to deepen the findings in the autopsy results.

Investigators are currently applying Article 466 paragraph (3) of the Criminal Code concerning assault resulting in death in handling the case.

“There is no suspect yet because it is still being investigated,” Hesman said.

He urged the victim’s family and the public not to speculate about the case and to give investigators the opportunity to uncover the facts based on evidence.

Police have assured that the investigation is being conducted professionally and transparently to uncover the sequence of events and determine who can be held legally accountable.

Previously, Yanto Idorway was reported to have been swept away by a river current in the Memti Waterfall area, Sisrang Village, Arfak Mountains Regency, on 18 July 2026.

The SAR team conducted a search for seven days until the SAR operation was closed on 24 July 2026. The search was then continued and Yanto’s body was found on 27 July 2026 at around 11.05 WIT.

The body was then evacuated to Manokwari and the family requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death.