Mother of Murdered Unram Student Releases Emotion During Testimony

Ning Purnamawati, the mother of deceased Unram student Ni Made Vaniradya Puspa Nitra, struggled to contain her emotions during the murder trial at Mataram State Court on Tuesday, 10 March 2026. Visibly distressed with the defendant Radiet Adiansyah, Ning was unable to hold back her tears. “I am disappointed, I am heartbroken,” she said in the courtroom.

Ning stated that Radiet Adiansyah and his parents never apologised to her family following the incident that claimed her daughter’s life at Nipah Beach, either before or after Radiet was named as a suspect. “Until this moment, as we sit in this honourable place (the court), he (the defendant Radiet) has never apologised to me,” Ning said.

Only representatives from Radiet’s family visited her home — his mother’s siblings, Radiet’s older sister, and two other family members. At that time, they conveyed information about Radiet’s health condition. They arrived around 28 or 29 August 2025, two days after the incident, reporting that Radiet’s condition was very serious, with communication requiring eye movements and blood flowing from his ears, mouth, nose and eyes with minimal movement.

Ning expressed her desire for a direct apology from the defendant Radiet and his parents. “He never apologised to me. What I want is for him and his parents to come. Because it was he who took my child away, leading to this tragedy. Not his family,” she said. Instead, on 30 August 2025, Radiet contacted her other daughter, the victim’s sister, attempting to persuade her to go out socialising at Wedrink.

Ning could not contain her tears in the courtroom when recalling how her search for her child ended in discovering she had died. “My child was found already deceased. Imagine — my child left home in good health and came back as a corpse,” she said through tears.

According to Ning, her daughter was enjoying her life and studies, but had to die in a brutal and savage manner. “What mother could accept this? My child also had dreams, my child had hopes and aspirations. But they were destroyed, burnt along with her body,” she said. “Am I as a mother not allowed to seek justice? My child had to die just to protect honour and dignity as a woman. We women cannot defend ourselves — must we as women simply surrender, accept being hurt and threatened? Do we not have the right to defend ourselves?” she added.

The murder occurred on Tuesday, 26 August 2025. In the case, Radiet initially claimed he and Ni Made Vaniradya Puspa Nitra were victims of robbery. However, police investigation established Radiet as the suspect. The murder originated when Radiet attempted to sexually assault the victim. However, the victim resisted, leading to a struggle between victim and perpetrator.