PALEMBANG – A 23-year-old man allegedly killed his mother in a brutal attack in South Sumatra, Indonesia, in a case believed to be linked to his addiction to online gambling.
The incident came to light on Wednesday after dismembered body parts of the victim were discovered buried in a plantation in Desa Karang Dalam, Pulau Pinang district, Lahat regency.
Lahat police criminal investigation unit chief AKP Muhammad Ridho Pradani said initial investigations found the suspect had become enraged after his mother refused to give him money to gamble online.
“At first, the two argued before the suspect took a machete and struck his mother’s neck several times until her head was severed.
“The suspect then attempted to burn the body using petrol to destroy evidence. After the fire went out, he was still not satisfied and returned with four plastic sacks before cutting the body into several parts,” he said.
He added that the suspect later paid two friends 300,000 rupiah (RM69) to dig a hole in a plantation about 20 metres from the victim’s house to dispose of the remains.
The case was uncovered after other family members grew suspicious when the victim had been missing for nearly a week.
Local residents later revealed digging activities carried out on the suspect’s instructions, as well as a strong foul odour that raised suspicion.
The suspect was arrested at a rented house in Bandar Agung and reportedly admitted to killing his mother. - Agensi