Motive Behind Woman's Murder in Depok Uncovered; Suspect Allegedly Common-Law Husband
Metro Jaya Regional Police have revealed the preliminary motive behind the murder of a woman whose body was found in a desiccated state at her residence in the Meruyung area of Depok, West Java.
The Head of the Public Relations Division of Metro Jaya Police, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, stated that the alleged perpetrator of the murder is believed to be the common-law husband of the victim, identified as ARH, 44.
“The preliminary motive for the murder is allegedly rooted in economic problems,” Budi Hermanto said in his statement.
According to Budi, the suspect is known to be unemployed. He is believed to have harboured resentment after being evicted from the home by the victim. This situation subsequently triggered violence that culminated in murder.
Police successfully apprehended ARH on Sunday, 8 March at approximately 15:30 Western Indonesian Time in the Jatimulya area, South Tambun, Bekasi Regency, West Java. The arrest was carried out by a team from the 3rd Sub-Directorate of the Mobile Criminal Investigation Unit of the General Criminal Investigation Directorate of Metro Jaya Police.
“The case is currently undergoing investigation by the General Criminal Investigation Directorate of Metro Jaya Police,” Budi stated.
The case previously attracted considerable discussion on social media after the body of the victim, identified as DH, 56, was discovered in distressing condition at her residence on Saturday, 7 March. The victim’s body was found in an advanced state of decomposition, covered by piles of clothing and an ironing board.
Coffee powder was also found scattered over the victim’s body, allegedly deliberately spread to mask the pungent smell emanating from the corpse. When discovered, the victim’s home was reported to be in disarray.
The discovery of the body began when the victim’s son, identified as LL, came to the house to clean his mother’s residence. It was at that moment that he discovered suspicious conditions that led to the discovery of the victim’s body.
According to statements from nearby residents, the victim was last seen by neighbours in September 2025. LL had previously also visited the house in February, but harboured no suspicion as he believed his mother was out of town. At that time, he also did not notice any suspicious odour from within the house.
Police are currently conducting further investigation to uncover the entire sequence of events in the case.
In addition to investigating the motive for the murder, police are also tracing the disappearance of several items belonging to the victim, including a mobile phone and a motorcycle. The investigation is also focused on the chronology of events and the relationship between the victim and the suspect prior to the tragic incident.