Man commits suicide after Ambon tragedy

JAKARTA (JP): A 52-year-old man was found dead on the third floor of his house on Jl. Kartini Raya in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, on Friday evening.

Local police officers said on Saturday they suspected the victim, identified as Teddy Sukian Simoto, committed suicide after the collapse of his business and the loss of a property he owned in the riot-torn Ambon in Maluku.

"He was found by his son Charles hanging from a rope tied to the ceiling," Sawah Besar Police subprecinct detective chief Second Insp. Robert Sitindjak said.

He quoted the victim's son as saying that Charles immediately freed his father from the noose and rushed him to a nearby hospital.

Robert added that victim Teddy died shortly after. His body was sent to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital morgue.

"According to Teddy's relatives, he was restless and acting very weird over the past few days.

"Charles was suspicious on Friday night when he saw Teddy going upstairs. He followed him and found him hanging from the ceiling," Robert said.

The victim's relatives confirmed that Teddy's shop and house in Ambon were gutted during violence in the area recently, the officer said. (lup)