Russian lady dies after fall from 2nd floor of her house

JAKARTA (JP): A Russian woman died after falling from a second floor window at her residence on Jl. Rasuna Said, Kav. 10, No. 2, South Jakarta, on Thursday night, police said.

The victim, identified as Irina Guskova, 42, was believed to have been trying to climb down the side of her house using a blanket for support when she fell to her death, Capt. Prasto, chief of Setiabudi police sub-precinct, said yesterday.

According to witnesses, Irina's husband, who remained unidentified, had locked her in the bedroom, he said.

"Irina might have panicked and attempted to leave the house using a bedcover tied to the windowsill. Unfortunately she fell. She is believed to have died instantly," Prasto said.

Irina, who worked at the Russian Embassy, broke her neck and right arm, and sustained a severe head injury, he added.

The incident happened at about 10.30 p.m. on Thursday.

City police spokesman Lt. Col. Aritonang said the embassy had refused a police request to conduct a postmortem examination to determine the cause of death.

"The embassy also requested that police conduct no further inquiries into the case. We have to accept their wishes because an embassy has the prerogative to request this," Aritonang explained.

An eyewitness to the incident, Emet, 46, said he heard a loud noise and thought that a tree had fallen over.

"But when I looked up I saw a white bedcover hanging from the window. I thought there was a robbery taking place. Then some people came out of the house and began to yell, but I didn't understand their language," he said.

A few minutes later police arrived on the scene, Emet said.

When reporters tried to contact the Russian Embassy, nobody was available for comment.

"Sorry we can't give you any information," a member of staff said.

The body of Irina had reportedly been claimed by her family. Further details about the incident were not available.

"Judging from the fact that all the doors were locked and she had tried to free herself from the room, we can deduce that the victim and her husband were probably involved in a quarrel. However, we could not determine whether Irina's death was suicide or an accident," Prasto added. (edt)