Husband suspected of murdering wife in Makassar, perpetrator arrested by police

Makassar (ANTARA) - Police officers have arrested a man with the initials SHM (21) who is suspected of murdering his wife, AN (24), with a knife in their rented house on Jalan Mannuruki VI, Lorong 1, Tamalate District, Makassar, South Sulawesi.

“The perpetrator has been secured. Evidence includes the knife allegedly used by the perpetrator, a mobile phone, and the victim’s clothing,” said the Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Tamalate Police, Iptu Abdul Latif, in Makassar, early Monday morning.

Latif explained that the case came to light after police received reports from the community regarding an alleged murder in a stilt-house rental on Jalan Mannuruki VI on Sunday (14/6) at approximately 21:30 WITA.

Officers arriving at the scene found a woman lying in a pool of blood inside the house.

Police subsequently coordinated with the Inafis and Forensic teams of the South Sulawesi Regional Police to conduct a crime scene investigation (TKP).

“When members arrived at the scene, the victim was found lying on the floor. The victim was a woman with injuries to her neck. Based on preliminary information, the perpetrator is suspected to be her husband,” he said.

Regarding the motive, Latif stated that they are still conducting further investigations into the statements of the perpetrator, who was arrested at a clinic near the Brimob Headquarters early Monday morning.

“For now, the motive is unknown as the investigation is still ongoing. The victim and the perpetrator lived together in the boarding house. The visible injury was to the victim’s neck,” he added.

After the crime scene investigation was conducted by the Inafis and Forensic teams and several pieces of evidence were secured, the victim’s body was evacuated to Bhayangkara Hospital Makassar for a post-mortem examination and further investigation.

“The victim was taken to Bhayangkara Hospital. Based on the victim’s identification, AN was 24 years old and from Jeneponto Regency,” said Latif.

The head of RT 001/RW 004 in Mannuruki, Muhammad Muzakkar, stated that he received reports from residents regarding a boarding house resident found dead under unnatural circumstances.

“I immediately coordinated with the RW head and went to the scene. Initial information received suggested the victim was allegedly killed by her husband. The victim lived in this boarding house and had been residing there for less than a year. They also have a child aged approximately one year,” he said.

According to Muzakkar, local residents did not hear any disturbances or signs of violence before the victim was found dead.

Based on information obtained, the victim worked for one of the Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) under the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Programme in Makassar.

“According to family accounts, both the victim and her husband were known as quiet individuals. The victim worked at the SPPG, though we do not know her specific position,” he said.

Currently, the perpetrator is being held at the Tamalate Police Station for further interrogation. Meanwhile, the victim’s body remains at Bhayangkara Hospital Makassar for a visum and medical examination to confirm the cause of death.