Public Relations Officer of PT Obsidian Stainless Steel Found Dead by Hanging in Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi

KENDARI — Justandi Paluala (32), a public relations officer at PT Obsidian Stainless Steel (OSS), was found dead by hanging in a plantation belonging to a resident of Paku Jaya Village, Morosi District, Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi.

“The victim was found lifeless at approximately 22:00 WITA last night,” said Bondoala Police Sector Chief Inspector Heder Payapo on Thursday (12 June 2025).

According to the victim’s elder brother, before taking his own life by hanging, the victim was known to have had a quarrel with his wife on 10 June 2025. During the argument, the brother had asked the couple not to argue outside the house, fearing the neighbours would hear.

Several hours after the dispute, one of the victim’s relatives saw him heading towards a location while carrying a length of rope in his hand.

“One of his family members then asked the victim where he was going. The victim replied, ‘over there,’ whilst pointing towards a plantation by the Konaweeha River, adding ‘I’m going to kill myself,’” the police sector chief recounted.

Upon hearing the victim’s response, the relative attempted to follow him but was unable to locate the victim’s whereabouts.

The following day, the victim’s brother contacted the community policing officer (Bhabinkamtibmas) at Bondoala Police Sector to report that the victim had not returned home for an entire day. The officer advised the brother to file a report at the police station whilst directing the family to conduct a search around Paku Village.

At approximately 22:00 WITA, police officers at Bondoala were contacted by the Paku Village Head, who reported that the victim had been found in a resident’s plantation, having hanged himself and already deceased.

“At 22:30 WITA, we conducted a crime scene investigation and subsequently carried out an evacuation of the victim, who was taken to the family’s mourning house at their request,” the officer explained.

Based on an examination conducted by Morosi Community Health Centre staff at the mourning house, no signs of wounds or physical abuse were found on the victim’s body — only ligature marks from the rope around his neck.

“The victim’s family has accepted his passing and declined to have the body taken to hospital for an autopsy,” he concluded.