Medan Legal Aid Discloses External Audit Findings Regarding Death of Winda Lorenza

The Medan Legal Aid (LBH Medan) has disclosed the findings of an External Investigative Audit Team—comprising the organisation, the Ombudsman, and the Ministry of Human Rights—concerning the death of Winda Lorenza Gowasa.

The deceased was the former wife of Brigadier Imansyah Harefa, a member of the Medan Sunggal Police Station under the Medan City Police. Winda’s body was found at Imansyah’s residence with gunshot wounds inflicted by the firearm belonging to her ex-husband.

To date, following a series of investigations, the Medan City Police have alleged that the victim took her own life in the bathroom of her former husband’s house. This claim was supported by the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), which recently reviewed the investigation process regarding the cause of death.

Recently, the Director of LBH Medan, Irvan Saputra, stated that the external investigative audit was conducted at the request of the North Sumatra Regional Police Inspectorate (Itwasda), following an order from the North Sumatra Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Pol Whisnu Her Educated Februanto.

“We must convey that LBH Medan was officially invited via formal letters. We received more than six invitation letters since 18 August 2026. These invitations were issued by the Itwasda and signed by the Irwasda, requesting LBH to participate in and conduct an external investigative audit,” he said in Medan on Monday (28/9).

Irvan noted that the external audit took place for nearly a month, from 18 August 2026 to 11 September 2026, involving the North Sumatra Representative of the Ombudsman and the Ministry of Human Rights.

“Because we are involved in this external investigative audit, we have a responsibility under the Legal Aid Law to inform the public. Most importantly, we want to ensure there is no perception that LBH is merely rubber-stamping processes; LBH is not a mere rubber-stamp institution,” he stated.

The findings regarding the death and the investigation of Winda Lorenza, as identified by the Audit Team, are as follows:

First, there are allegations of procedural errors in the investigation and inquiry conducted by the Medan City Police. Irvan stated that certain information provided was allegedly not based on the investigation results, specifically the Medan City Police’s claim that the case was a suicide.

“Based on the Examination Report (LHP) dated 5 August 2026, which I have read, sufficient evidence was found regarding an alleged criminal act of murder and providing the means/facilities for suicide,” he explained.

The case status was upgraded to an investigation on 5 August 2026, and the Notice of Commencement of Investigation (SPDP) had been sent to the Medan District Attorney’s Office.

Furthermore, there were procedural inconsistencies regarding the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) concerning the permission for the victim’s autopsy. The request for the visum et repertum was made via a letter signed by Brigadier IH, even though IH is not a member of the victim’s family. Under Articles 49, 50, and 51 of the KUHAP, the person authorised to grant permission for a visum or autopsy is the victim’s family. IH and the victim have been divorced since 2021.

Second, Irvan mentioned that the autopsy results conducted by forensic doctor Dr Mistar Ritonga could still be contested through tissue examination. Additionally, the victim’s family has not yet been interviewed by the Medan City Police investigators.

Furthermore, according to the victim’s family, no SPDP or SP2HP (Notice of Investigation Progress) has been sent by investigators to the family. This is a violation of the Constitutional Court mandate and the KUHAP, which requires such notices to be provided to the family within seven days of the investigation order.

Third, the audit found that the firearm had been moved. According to investigators and family accounts, the initial crime scene processing suggested the victim died from a gunshot to the head in the bathroom, with the weapon located in the bathroom near Winda.

“During our examination and tracing, we found that the weapon had moved from its original position. It was originally in the bathroom, but it had been moved to a bench,” he said.

According to Irvan, before the victim died, the weapon was approximately one metre from her bed, specifically on top of a suitcase. Unfortunately, investigators did not delve into the details of the weapon used to kill the victim, such as how it should have been stored, why it was placed there, or whether it was loaded.

Fourth, following the shooting, Brigadier Imansyah Harefa did not contact the police. The victim died on 2 August 2026, at approximately 14:17 WIB. However, officers from the Helvetia Police Station only arrived around 17:17 WIB, leaving a three-hour gap.

“There was a three-hour gap where no police personnel were present at the crime scene, neither Inafis nor officers from the local stations. Only after that did the Medan City Police and Sunggal Police arrive,” Irman explained.

At the time of the incident on 2 August 2026, the local CCTV cameras were not recording. It was noted, however, that the CCTV had been active and recording in the days leading up to the event.

Fifth, findings showed the presence of residue on the victim’s clothing and on a nearby towel.