Depok Mutilator Joined Same-Sex Group, Planned Victim's Murder
Police have uncovered the actions of Saepul (26), who murdered and mutilated a man identified as K (51) in a rented house in the Cipayung area of Depok. The perpetrator reportedly joined a group for same-sex attracted individuals, or a gay community.
‘A check of the suspect’s mobile phone revealed that the suspect was a member of a group (gay community). The initial introduction (between the perpetrator and victim) was indeed through the social media app Hornet,’ said Unit 1 Head of the Resmob Sub-directorate at Polda Metro Jaya’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate, Kompol Dimitri Mahendra Kartika, when contacted on Thursday (6/8/2026).
Dimitri stated that Saepul had planned the theft of the victim’s belongings and the murder. Hornet is an app for same-sex attracted individuals, specifically gay men, according to its description on Google Play.
‘As for the planning, it was because the perpetrator wanted to steal the victim’s motorcycle and belongings, and to take possession of the victim’s property, and there was an intention to kill the victim,’ he explained.
The sack containing the body had been lying in a vacant lot since 24 July 2026. Residents had no idea the cardboard box contained human remains until Tuesday, 4 August, when locals took the initiative to burn the sack, which they thought contained rubbish.
Based on identification and crime scene processing, witness statements, and other evidence, the police investigation led to a man named Saepul (26). Saepul was eventually arrested by the Polda Metro Jaya Resmob Sub-directorate team while fleeing in Pandeglang, Banten, on Wednesday (5/8).
Chronology of the Mutilation
Polda Metro Jaya Head of Public Relations, Kombes Budi Hermanto, explained that K initially became acquainted with the perpetrator Saepul through social media. The acquaintance continued until both agreed to meet at a rented house in the Cipayung area, Depok City.
‘Saepul (SA) and the victim became acquainted through social media before agreeing to meet at a rented house in the Cipayung area on 23 July 2026,’ Budi told reporters on Wednesday (5/8).
Their meeting apparently led to a dispute. Following this altercation, Saepul killed K by stabbing him with a knife.
‘The meeting ended in a dispute, leading the perpetrator to stab the victim in the stomach and slash his neck using a knife,’ Budi explained.
After ensuring K was dead, Saepul attempted to cover his tracks. Saepul then cut off the victim’s upper thighs, wrapping the body parts separately from the torso using sacks.
‘The perpetrator mutilated the victim’s body at the upper thighs, wrapped the remains in black plastic and sacks, then dumped the victim’s torso in the Tanah Merah area, while the severed legs were thrown into a river in the Pitara area, Pancoran Mas,’ Budi said.
After disposing of the remains, Saepul immediately fled with Kunaefi’s motorcycle. He took it to the Panimbang area in Pandeglang, Banten, and subsequently sold it.