Father kills daughter with mattock

Father kills daughter with mattock

SURAKARTA, Central Java: Local police have arrested a man for
allegedly killing his own daughter with a mattock in Laweyan
village on Saturday.

Antara reported that the deceased, Dewi Siti Halimah, 16, was
struck with a mattock while asleep. The high school student was
taken to a nearby hospital but died upon arrival.

A neighbor, Sarmidi, 44, ran to the house after hearing Dewi
scream. When he arrived at the house he saw Dewi's father,
identified only by his initials SM, 48, standing over her and
holding a bloodstained mattock.

Sarmidi then grabbed SM with the help of other residents who
had arrived at the scene.

The motive for the murder is unclear. However, there is
speculation that SM may be mentally unstable. (dja)