Young Woman Murdered by Ex-Boyfriend During Hotel Check-In, Body Burned

A 23-year-old woman named Ayu Puspita, a resident of Perjito Village in Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra, was found dead after allegedly being murdered by her ex-boyfriend, M Ari Pratama, 33, from Karang Raja Village, Muara Enim. The case shocked residents after the victim’s charred and decomposing body was found floating along the banks of the Enim River on Friday, 29 May 2026. The investigation began when police suspected foul play due to the victim’s body showing signs of unnatural death. Simultaneously, authorities received a missing person report filed at Lahat Police Resort. After identity verification and further examination, police confirmed the body was Ayu Puspita. Based on the investigation, police named M Ari Pratama as a suspect. The perpetrator, the victim’s ex-boyfriend, had both married and divorced, yet they continued communicating. According to police, the murder began when the victim checked into a guesthouse in the Muara Enim market area at around 3:30 am WIB. Approximately 10 minutes later, the suspect arrived at her room. They spent time together until the afternoon. Police stated that a conversation at around 3:00 pm WIB escalated into an argument after the victim requested a new mobile phone. At around 4:00 pm WIB, the suspect allegedly strangled the victim to death. He then left the guesthouse room, locking the door from outside, leaving the body on the bed covered with a blanket. The following day at around 3:00 am WIB, the suspect returned to the guesthouse. The body was wrapped in a sheet and placed inside a large bucket in the bathroom. At approximately 3:30 am WIB, the suspect transported the body by car to Enim 3 Bridge. En route, he purchased a bottle of Pertalite fuel. Upon arrival, he placed the body with dry wood, poured fuel over it, and set it alight. After the fire died down, he dumped the remains into the Enim River to cover his tracks.