It seems like the “he said, she said” battle continues to play out on the cases involving Engeline, the eight-year-old girl who was reported missing and later found dead and buried in her backyard.
Except this time, it’s between the lawyers — representing the current suspect of Engeline’s murder, Agus Tai, and lawyers representing Engeline’s adoptive mother, Margriet Megawe.
Agus recently declared that he didn’t kill Engeline, and contended that Margriet was actually responsible. Although he made a number of inconsistent statements earlier in the investigation regarding his role (or lack-of) in Engeline’s murder, his lawyer insisted that this statement is “final”, reported Merdeka.
Margriet’s lawyers, however, fought back and continue to deny that Margriet had any involvement in the child’s disappearance and murder.
According to Tribun Bali, Margriet’s version of events was that she was in her room watching TV when Agus killed Engeline, on 16 May 2015. Agus told Margriet that Engeline had gone out “to borrow a pencil”. Half an hour later, Engeline hadn’t returned, so Margriet supposedly began calling out her name.
Before Margriet reported Engeline as missing to the police, she supposedly searched for her around the neighborhood. Unsuccessful with the search, she reported Engeline as a missing person to the police, accompanied by her daughter Yvonne and neighbor Rohana.
At that time, Margriet allegedly did not suspect that Agus had any involvement. She apparently admitted that she didn’t check Agus’ room in detail, and in retrospect suspected that perhaps Agus had hidden Engeline’s body in his cupboard.
Bali police declined to comment further, stating that they are still conducting further investigation. As of now, Agus remains the sole suspect in Engeline’s murder and Margriet remains a witness. Margriet was questioned by the police yesterday regarding her whereabouts the day that Engeline was reported missing, the questions based on a number of evidence that was found at her property in Sanur, Tribun Bali reported.
Margriet’s former security guard has also spoken out, telling Tribun Bali that he had suspected a murder had taken place at the residence, due to a “foul smell” in the backyard. However, he was reluctant to interfere at the time.
Looks like the quest to solve the mystery continues on.
Photo: Find Angeline – Bali’s Missing Child (now closed)
