Doctor Dies by Suicide After Alleged Intimidation by Two North Central Timor Legislators
The family of Dr. Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, known as Dr. Icha, has revealed that she underwent a mental health examination after allegedly being intimidated by two members of the North Central Timor (TTU) Regional House of Representatives. Dr. Icha was reportedly suffering from severe depression before she took her own life by hanging on Friday (26/6/2026).
She was found hanging on the second floor of a building at around 5:55 p.m. local time, according to her uncle and family spokesperson, Fabianus Banase, at the funeral home in RSS Baumata, Kupang Regency, on Saturday (27/6/2026).
Fabianus stated that Dr. Icha had undergone a psychiatric evaluation following the incident. The results indicated that she had experienced severe psychological shock. She had been receiving medical care since 15 June 2026 and was discharged on 21 June 2026 to continue outpatient treatment.
We hope that all medical personnel can receive protection so they can carry out their humanitarian duties safely, Fabianus said. The family also requested the public to respect their privacy and refrain from speculating about the cause of her death.
Prior to her death, Dr. Icha had been on duty at the Emergency Department of Leona Hospital in Kefamenanu. She was treating a child patient who had been bitten by a green snake. The patient was a referral from Kefamenanu Regional General Hospital, initially admitted on 13 June 2026 at 12:50 p.m. local time.
Two men identifying themselves as TTU legislators, Therensius Lazakar and Norbertus Tubani, later arrived at the emergency department. They allegedly spoke to Dr. Icha in a loud and aggressive manner. The patient was Therensius’s nephew.
Dr. Icha reportedly confided that she was still experiencing fear and psychological pressure due to the shouting she endured while on duty. The alleged intimidation left her so shaken that she broke down in tears at the hospital. She was later found in a weakened state at her residence and subsequently died.