Distraught father kills children, commits suicide

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): A grieving father killed five of his children on Monday and seriously injured another son before committing suicide in Karangasem, about 70 kilometers east of Denpasar.

Karangasem Police chief Lt. Col. Ida Bagus Wirama told reporters on Tuesday that the murders occurred at about 1 a.m. in the family's home in Sidekarya village.

Ni Nengah Alit, 25, Ni Nengah Sari, 16, I Komang Agung, 12, Ni Komang Merta Ganti, 10 and Putu Eka Putra, 5, died after their throats were slashed. I Ketut Merta Jengki, 7, suffered wounds to his neck and abdomen but was able to ask for help from neighbors.

Several witnesses said I Wayan Mangku Rai, who was in his mid- 40s, was distraught over the death of his first wife, Ni Komang Agung, 46. Rai was also known to locals as a balian (traditional healer) under the name Manik Tengi.

Neighbors said he spent the two previous nights sleeping next to his wife's grave.

Wirama quoted witnesses as saying that Rai asked the six children to pray together in a family shrine at their house, which stands on a 300-meter-high hill.

Rai is believed to have cut the children's throats while they slept.

Wirama said neighbors and village officials found Rai dead from a self-inflicted stab wound to the neck. His body lay on the front porch of the house and the children were found sprawled in a small bedroom.

Jengki is being treated at Klungkung Hospital.

"The six bodies were properly taken care by the people and buried at a village cemetery by local residents," Wirama said.

All but Merta Ganti were Rai's children from his late first wife.

Rai also asked his second wife Ni Nengah Bunter, 34, to take part in the prayer on Monday night, Wirama said.

"But Bunter refused. She and two of her three children slept at her parents' house."

Wirama said he was concerned by the tragedy.

"I'm very sad over this case. We now have to hold a purification ceremony in the village which will be very costly."

Balinese tradition stipulates that residents must conduct a ritual following unnatural deaths to prevent evil ramifications. The expense can range from Rp 20 million to hundreds of million of rupiah. (zen/edt)