Two Teenagers Arrested for Murder of Woman Found in Box in Medan; Police Say They Didn't Know the Victim

Two teenagers with initials SA (19) and SHR (19) have been arrested in connection with the murder of a young woman whose body was discovered in a box in Medan Denai, Medan, North Sumatra. Police have stated that the perpetrators did not know the victim.

According to detikSumut, Medan Metropolitan Police Commander Combes Jean Calvijn stated that only one person committed the actual murder of the victim, whilst the other perpetrator merely assisted in disposing of the victim’s body.

“They did not know each other. There are two perpetrators, but only one was the primary perpetrator,” Calvijn said during a crime scene reconstruction at a guesthouse that was the location of the murder on Menteng 7 Lane, Kenanga, on Friday (13 March 2026).

However, Calvijn has not yet disclosed the motive for the murder. He stated that details of the case would be provided through an official statement.

“Tomorrow I will explain the motive and explain further developments at a press conference,” he said.

The body of the woman, with initials RS (19), was discovered by residents in a box on Tuesday (10 March). After the discovery, police immediately proceeded to the scene and conducted a crime scene investigation. Bruises were found on the body, which at the time of discovery was wrapped in hotel bed sheets and burlap sacking inside the box. There is strong suspicion that the victim died in a hotel room whilst unclothed before being disposed of.