Police Investigate Criminal Elements in Case of Deceased Domestic Worker After Jumping from Employer's Boarding House

Two domestic workers (PRT) with initials R (15) and D (30) desperately jumped from their employer’s boarding room in Bendungan Hilir (Benhil), Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. Police are now investigating whether there are any criminal elements behind the incident that killed victim R.

“We are conducting an investigation into the alleged criminal act that occurred,” said Dirkrimum Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, when contacted by reporters on Friday (24/4/2026).

Iman stated that his side and the Central Jakarta Metro Police Resort are still investigating the case. Meanwhile, Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Commissioner Reynold Hutagalung, said police are still delving into statements from the surviving domestic worker. The agency that placed the two PRT will be examined.

“We will also summon the PRT agency to deepen their statements. This step is important so that investigators obtain complete and intact information, enabling the case to be handled professionally, meticulously, and fairly,” said Reynold.

Both Victims from Central Java

One resident of RT 005 RW 002, Nani (68), helped with the evacuation process shortly after the incident. Nani said the two victims came from different areas in Central Java.

“The one who eventually died was from Pekalongan. The one who can still be spoken to is from Brebes,” said Nani when met on Saturday (25/4).

Nani explained that both victims were new workers at the boarding house. One of them had only been working for a few days.

“The conscious one, who can still be spoken to (victim R), said she had only been working for one week. As for the other one (from Pekalongan), I asked the boarding house guard, and she said she had been there for three months,” clarified Nani.

Surviving Victim Silent When Questioned by Residents

When residents tried to find identities in the victims’ bags, they found the ID card of victim R from Brebes. Meanwhile, the identity of victim D was not found. “We opened it together (the bag), and didn’t find an ID card for the one in bad condition (the deceased victim). But the one (from Brebes) had an ID card,” said Nani.

Nani recounted the dire condition of both victims when first found by residents at a bend in the road beside the boarding house. The victim from Pekalongan was found face down, while the one from Brebes was on her side.

“The condition of one was face down, the young one (from Pekalongan). The other was on her side. Both were badly injured,” she revealed.

Nevertheless, Nani said both victims refused to answer when asked about the reason they jumped from the fourth floor of the boarding house. They just stayed silent while enduring the pain.

“When we asked, ‘Why did you jump from up there?’ Silent, no answer. Probably scared. Then asked, ‘Were you trying to escape?’ Silent. Then, ‘Is the homeowner mean?’ Silent. Basically, she was silent at that time,” Nani recounted.

Nani added that the victim from Brebes briefly groaned in pain and held her back and her hand, which had a broken bone. Shortly after, an ambulance arrived and evacuated them to the Naval Hospital (RSAL) dr. Mintohardjo.

“If in between when we weren’t asking anything, she suddenly said ‘It hurts, Ma’am, Ma’am, it hurts’ like that,” Nani recounted.

Deceased Victim Confided That Employer Confiscated Phone

Victim R had told residents that their mobile phones (HP) were confiscated by the employer. Before breathing her last, victim R still managed to confess about the whereabouts of their phones. “Earlier, I asked the other sister who could still be spoken to, ‘Where’s your phone so it can be secured.’ She replied, ‘My phone was confiscated by the female boss on orders from the male boss,’” Nani recounted.

Nani, who had once been the RT chair in the area, said she knew and was acquainted with the owner of the four-storey boarding house. She said the boarding house owner had only moved to the location during the pandemic.

She described the boarding house owner’s daily life as quite friendly but very closed off from community activities. Thus, interactions with neighbours were also very minimal.