Police reveal motive in Depok murder case
Jakarta — Metro Jaya Regional Police have revealed the motive behind a murder that occurred in Depok, West Java, with the victim’s remains discovered on Saturday 7 March in a severely desiccated state.
Kombes Pol Budi Hermanto, Head of Public Relations at Metro Jaya Regional Police, explained that the suspected perpetrator has been identified as ARH (44), the victim’s common-law husband.
“The preliminary motive for the murder is believed to be rooted in economic problems,” he stated in his account on Monday.
Budi noted that the suspect was known to be unemployed and felt aggrieved after being evicted from the house by the victim, subsequently committing the crime of murder.
He added that the suspect was successfully apprehended by the Special Crimes Division’s Mobile Task Force Unit of Metro Jaya Regional Police on Sunday 8 March at approximately 15:30 Western Indonesia Time in the Jatimulya area, South Tambun District, Bekasi Regency, West Java.
“The case is currently under investigation by the Special Crimes Division of Metro Jaya Regional Police,” he stated.
Previously, information circulating on Instagram social media revealed that the body of a woman with the initials DH (56) was discovered in a desiccated condition beneath a pile of clothing and an ironing board at her residence in Meruyung, Depok on Saturday 7 March.
Scattered coffee powder was found covering the victim’s body, believed to have been deliberately spread to mask the putrefaction odour, given the extremely dishevelled state of the house when discovered.
The discovery occurred when the victim’s son, with initials LL, came to clean the residence. The victim was last seen by neighbours in September 2025.
LL had visited in February but harboured no suspicions, believing his mother was away from the city and detecting no unusual odours from inside the house.
Cinere Police Station is now conducting further investigations as the victim’s mobile phone and motorcycle have been reported missing.
Police are also investigating the whereabouts of the victim’s common-law husband, whose location remains unknown, following earlier reports that he had been involved in a dispute.