Stepfather in Cianjur Suspected of Killing Stepdaughter, Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison

The tragic death of a 16-year-old girl identified as SH in Cikalongkulon Subdistrict, Cianjur Regency, West Java, has been resolved. Cianjur Police successfully arrested the suspect, identified as R (35), the victim’s stepfather.

Cianjur Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner A Alexander Yurikho Hadi, stated that the victim was found dead in the suspect’s parents’ room on Sunday (24/5) morning. According to intensive investigations, SH was murdered and sexually assaulted by the suspect early on Saturday (23/5) around 3:00 AM.

“The suspect entered the room while the victim was asleep, then strangled her neck twice using a phone charger cable to ensure her death,” Alexander said during a press conference at Cianjur Police Headquarters on Friday (29/5).

The suspect’s escape ended after the Cianjur Police Criminal Investigation Unit traced him to a rental house in Depok City on Monday (25/5). The motive for the heinous act is believed to stem from the suspect’s resentment towards the victim’s biological mother.

“The suspect was upset because his wife kept demanding a divorce due to suspicions of infidelity, leading him to vent his anger on the victim,” Alexander added.

R faces multiple charges, including Section 80(3) read with Section 76C of the Child Protection Law, Section 458(2) of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) for child murder, and Section 473 of the KUHP concerning sexual violence. He now faces up to 20 years in prison.

The victim’s body has been handed over to the family following the completion of the autopsy for further investigation. (BB/I-1)