Two Teenagers Arrested in Connection with Woman's Body Found in Box in Medan

A woman’s body was discovered in a box in Medan, North Sumatra. Two suspects have been arrested, both of whom are teenagers.

“They have been arrested, yes (two suspects), still teenagers,” said Head of Criminal Investigation at Medan Police, AKBP Bayu Putro Wijayanto, when asked for confirmation on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

Bayu continued that his team had not yet disclosed the identities of the two suspects or the arrest process. He confirmed that investigators were still developing the case.

“Still under investigation. We will verify the identity (of the victim) first,” he explained.

Discovery of Body Initially Mistaken for Rubbish

The discovery of the body alarmed residents in the Menteng Road, Seroja Gang area of Medan Denai district on Tuesday, 10 March at approximately 1 pm. One eyewitness, Bambang S, revealed that the box was dumped near a riverbank by two men wearing online motorcycle taxi uniforms.

Bambang recounted that residents initially thought the box contained used items that could be utilised.

“At first, residents saw two men carrying a box whilst wearing online motorcycle taxi uniforms. Initially, residents wanted to take the box for household purposes. They thought it was rubbish, but it turned out to be a body,” Bambang said.

The discovery was immediately reported to the local neighbourhood chief and police. At the time, rumours circulated that the woman’s body inside the box had been mutilated.

AKBP Bayu Putro confirmed that the body remained intact.

“So we followed up and expanded our investigation. There is no mutilation; the body is still in intact condition,” Bayu stated firmly.

Suspected Victim of Assault

Based on preliminary examination, the victim is believed to be a woman in her 20s. Police have already obtained the victim’s identity and have contacted her family.

It is suspected that the body is that of an assault victim. Bruising was found on the victim’s body, which was discovered wrapped in hotel bed sheets and burlap sacking inside the box. It is strongly suspected that the victim died in a hotel room whilst unclothed before being disposed of.