A man in Bali is facing 15 years in prison for the alleged murder of his wife, who he allegedly hit to death after a liquor party yesterday.
Police said the suspect, identified as 39-year-old S, was furious after his wife, identified as 41-year-old SI, disturbed his night out drinking with his friends.
At home and in bed, S hit SI with a body lotion bottle, before going on to hit her repeatedly on the head.
Police believe SI lost consciousness in bed following the assault, and the suspect proceeded to sleep by her side. When he woke up in the early hours of Tuesday, the suspect found SI’s body was already stiff and went on to report her death to the local police.
According to a statement released by the Buleleng Police, S and SI are married in a nikah siri arrangement, which fulfills religious nuptials requirements but is not recognized by the state.
S has been charged with murder under Indonesia’s Criminal Code (KUHP), which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. The victim is still undergoing autopsy at the Buleleng Regional Hospital, as authorities seek to determine her official cause of death.
