Two women commit suicide at home

JAKARTA (JP): Two young women are believed to have committed suicide in separate incidents in West and South Jakarta over the weekend.

Epri Supriati, 17, a former shop attendant, was found dead about 6 a.m. Saturday by relatives, laying on her bed in the family home on Jl. Perawatan, Kalideres in West Jakarta.

An empty glass and a can of liquid insecticide found near her body were seized by police as evidence, a relative, Urip, said.

He said Epri may have decided to end her life after a recent breakup with her boyfriend.

"I don't really know the details of her life as she lived in a boarding house when she was working as a shop attendant."

Sri Hartini, 23, was also found by her family Sunday morning at their home in Saroso Indah village of Kebayoran Lama in South Jakarta.

She had apparently hanged herself from the lintel above the door using batik cloth, a police report said.

Local police sent the two women's bodies to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital for postmortem examinations.

The latest deaths have increased the toll of women committing suicide this year to eight.

The victims have been prompted to end their lives for various reasons, ranging from love affairs to their economic situation.

Occasionally, attempts at suicide can fail, such as a previously reported incident in Tambun district in Bekasi, West Java on Jan. 28.

Siti Komala, 16, was determined to end her life after she broke up with her boyfriend, identified as Al.

She poured kerosene over her body before setting herself on fire. But family members found her and helped douse the flames.

Siti was rushed to hospital where she was treated for severe burns to her face, chest and arms. (emf)