Fuel, utility hikes kill woman

TANGERANG: A 24-year-old woman was found dead in her home in an apparent suicide after suffering intense anxiety due to economic hardship reportedly exacerbated by recent increases in fuel and utility prices.

The victim, Maryani, was found dead in her home in Margasari subdistrict, Karawaci district of Tangerang, on Sunday after swallowing a toxic insecticide.

Her husband, Effendi, a factory worker, said Monday that she had earlier complained bitterly about the price hikes and asked him how they were going to cope with the situation.

He told his wife that they would have to cut down on all daily spending in order to survive.

"But she was disappointed with my answer and drank insecticide without my knowledge shortly afterward," he said in remorse.--JP