US Citizen, Perpetrator in the 'Suitcase Murder' Case in Nusa Dua, Deported from Bali
The Denpasar Immigration Detention Centre (Rudenim), Bali, has completed the repatriation of a US citizen, Tommy Schaefer (TS).
TS was deported after being declared free in the murder case in the Nusa Dua area, in Badung Regency, Bali. He was imprisoned at the Class IIA Kerobokan Penitentiary for the premeditated murder in 2015.
The Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Felucia Sengky Ratna, said that TS was previously sentenced to 18 years in prison by the Denpasar District Court on July 9, 2015.
“Because he was proven to have violated Article 340 of the Criminal Code,” said Sengky in a written statement, Thursday (February 26).
TS is widely known for the case, which became a phenomenon known as the ‘suitcase murder’. It occurred in a luxury hotel in the Nusa Dua area, where TS and his former girlfriend, HLM, a woman from the United States, were involved in the heinous act that took the life of HLM’s mother.
The deportation is a continuation of law enforcement against his accomplice, HLM, who was released earlier on October 29, 2021, and deported by Rudenim Denpasar on November 2, 2021.
“After serving his sentence and receiving several remissions for good behaviour, TS was declared fully released from the Kerobokan Penitentiary on February 17, 2026,” he added.
Subsequently, TS was immediately handed over to the Class I Special TPI Ngurah Rai Immigration Office for the repatriation process, and then transferred to Rudenim Denpasar on February 20, 2026. During his detention at Rudenim Denpasar, officers ensured that all departure administration and coordination with the US Consulate went smoothly.
The deportation process was carried out through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport with close escort by Rudenim Denpasar officers until TS entered the aircraft to the United States.
Based on the series of criminal acts committed, TS was subject to immigration administrative action in the form of deportation based on Article 75 paragraph (1) of Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning immigration. In addition to being expelled from Indonesian territory, Rudenim Denpasar also proposed TS’s name to be included in the list of deportees.
“Referring to Article 102 of Law Number 6 of 2011, concerning immigration, the prohibition against foreigners may be imposed for up to ten years, even for life for those who are deemed to seriously threaten security and public order,” he said.
“The final decision regarding the duration of the prohibition will be determined by the Directorate General of Immigration after considering all aspects of the case and the social impact caused,” he said.
(kdf/dal)