Man Arrested Over Death of De Facto Wife Found as Skeleton in Depok

A man identified as AR, aged 44, has been arrested for the murder of his de facto wife DH, aged 56, whose remains were found at Meruyung, Limo, Depok, reduced to skeletal remains.

The suspect claimed he killed the victim due to heartbreak. According to Kombes Budi Hermanto, head of the Metro Jaya Police public relations division, the suspect, who was unemployed, felt hurt after being evicted from the home by the victim before committing the murder.

Police have suggested the murder was motivated by economic problems. “The initial motive is suspected to be rooted in economic issues,” Hermanto stated to journalists on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The suspect was arrested by the Metro Jaya Police Criminal Investigation Unit on Sunday, 8 March, at approximately 15:30 Western Indonesian Time in the Jatimulya area, Tambun Selatan, Bekasi Regency, West Java. The case remains under investigation by the Metro Jaya Police Criminal Investigation Unit.

Police indicated signs of violence on the victim’s body, though further details could not be disclosed at this stage. The victim’s remains were transported to Kramat Jati Police Hospital in East Jakarta for an autopsy.

According to witness statements, the victim frequently had domestic quarrels with her de facto husband. According to the local neighbourhood chief, identified as SS, the victim and her de facto husband had a history of household disputes.

Police revealed preliminary identification findings, discovering traces of coffee powder scattered on the victim’s body. The victim’s remains, identified as DH aged 56, were discovered by her child and their partner on Saturday, 7 March, at approximately 09:00 Western Indonesian Time when they arrived to clean the house.