Thu, 02 Sep 1999

Suicide murder in Klungkung

DENPASAR, Bali: A 23-year-old mother committed suicide after she killed her 18-month-old daughter at her house in Klungkung regency, police said on Wednesday.

The incident took place at Pesinggahan village.

The mother, identified as Ni Ketut Nurinti, was said to have drunk water mixed with potassium, Klungkung Police chief Lt. Col. Happy Kartika said.

Her daughter Ni Wayan Manik was first given the liquid, he said. A plastic bottle containing the liquid was found on the side of the bed, Happy said.

Police found a suicide note in Ni Ketut's underwear, stating that she was hurt and could no longer put up with her in-laws' treatment. "She said suicide was the best way to end the misery," Happy said.

"Their bodies were found in a bedroom on Monday afternoon by her husband, Ketut Bagia. He had just arrived home when he found that the bedroom door was locked," Happy said.

Ketut then broke through the door and found the bodies.

"He was hysterical and seemed to have lost his mind as he kept holding the baby and tried to wake her," Happy said.

The family barred police from taking the bodies for a postmortem examination, but police are continuing investigation, Happy added. (50/edt)