Student sought in beautician's slaying

JAKARTA (JP): City police are seeking a private university student in the murder of a noted hairdresser and beautician in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, an officer said on Monday.

The student was identified as Jefrey, 23, a resident of Rawamangun in East Jakarta, who was a close friend of Darsan Chaniago, 56, popularly known as Chan.

"We've found some evidence at the incident site and items in the form of black Nike sport pants, a pack of cigarettes and a dark blue hat belonging to the student suspect," he said.

Police reportedly matched the items with the suspect's family, Budiono said.

The half-naked body of Chan, the owner of Chaniago Salon on Jl. Bendungan Asahan, was found in a pool of blood in his beauty shop on Friday morning by his newly employed house servant, he said.

The victim was reportedly struck by a blunt object to his head and then stabbed with a small knife in his neck. As reported earlier, police confiscated a dumbbell, believed to have been used in the murder.

A bachelor, Chan's regular clientele included movie stars, models and young business executives, Budiono said.

Jefrey is believed to be one of two men who came to the beauty shop of Chan after the latter called him. The identity of the other man is unknown. The men came in a red Kijang van which they parked in front of the house.

Budiono said the police remained suspicious about Kismono, the house servant, because he was the only person to see the arrival of the two men late at night.

Questioned as a witness, Kismono has insisted he did not know the two men.

"But we'll keep watching Kismono as he also seems to have had a special relationship with Chan," Budiono said.

Among friends and neighbors, Chan was known for his hospitality and generosity. Neighbors often asked him for help and friends frequently visited and stayed late at his house. (emf)