Makassar primary schoolgirl raped and murdered by neighbour as she lay dying
The case of the murder of a 12-year-old primary schoolgirl, identified as NU, in a vacant house in Makassar, South Sulawesi, has been uncovered. The suspect, identified as IK (19), is alleged to have assaulted the victim before raping her while she was still alive.
“Today, I can confirm a case of premeditated murder preceded by the rape of a 12-year-old child. This is truly very saddening for us all,” said Makassar City Police Chief Commissioner Arya Perdana to reporters in Makassar on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.
Arya explained that the tragedy began when the suspect dragged the victim to a vacant house on Sultan Abdullah I Street, Tallo District, Makassar, on Tuesday evening, 26 May 2026. At the scene, the suspect covered the victim’s mouth with a cloth and pressed hard on her chest, rendering her powerless and unconscious.
“The victim’s mouth was covered with cloth. Her chest was pressed down, and her head hit something, causing her to lose consciousness. While still alive, she was raped,” Arya stated.
The victim’s body was discovered by residents early Wednesday morning, 27 May 2026, inside the vacant house. She was found naked with a broken television covering her head.
The suspect, IK, will be charged with premeditated murder. Makassar City Police stated the suspect faces severe punishment for the heinous act.
“We have charged him under Article 459 for premeditated murder and subsidiary Article 458, with a maximum penalty of death or 20 years in prison,” Arya emphasised.
The victim’s body was reportedly covered with a broken television, and she had cuts on her hands.
“Yes, there were cuts on her hands, likely to erase evidence. She was deliberately killed and covered with a broken television while naked,” said the victim’s father, Syarifuddin.
Victim Did Not Return Home Until Late
Syarifuddin first noticed his youngest daughter was missing when he returned home from work on Tuesday evening, 26 May 2026. He and his wife, along with the victim’s two older siblings, began searching as she had not returned by 10 PM WITA.
“I realised she wasn’t outside playing. After returning from working as a motorcycle taxi driver, I asked my wife and her siblings to search because she hadn’t come home by 10 PM. My wife had just returned from work and said she wasn’t around the front,” Syarifuddin said.
According to Syarifuddin, while searching with other residents, they had passed the vacant house but did not enter, as they did not suspect the victim was inside.
“So I asked friends to search. We passed that place (the abandoned house) but didn’t notice. We searched from last night until dawn, and other residents joined in,” he said.
After fruitless searches, residents returned home. The victim’s body was later found by a young man at dawn.
“Shortly after dawn, while heading to the mosque for subuh prayer, there was news of a body found in the abandoned house. A young man named Kevin, who was urinating, saw the body. He told other residents, who then informed me and neighbours,” he said.
Suspect Arrested After Attempting to Mislead Police
Police investigating the case arrested the 19-year-old suspect, IK, who raped and murdered the victim. The suspect, a neighbour of the victim, was apprehended hours after the body was discovered.
“The suspect has been detained,” said Chief Commissioner Arya Perdana.
IK was arrested near the location where the body was found. Arya stated the suspect was present at the scene during the police’s crime scene examination.
“While conducting the crime scene investigation, there was commotion. The commotion turned out to be the suspect,” Arya said.
“He tried to divert attention to make police leave quickly or focus on other matters,” he added.