Ritual Searching for Healing for His Mother on Mount Katu, Azis Instead Killed by His Friend with 17 Stab Wounds

Kapanlagi.com - A few times ago, a man named Abdul Azis Sofii (36) was arrested by the police. This is because he intended to undergo a ritual to obtain healing for his sick mother on Mount Katu, Malang Regency. But the victim was instead killed by Pendik Lestari (27), a friend who was asked to accompany him in the ritual.

Pendik is suspected as the perpetrator of Azis' murder, whose body was found in the area of Mount Katu, Sumberpang Kidul Village, Wagir District, Malang Regency. When the victim's body was found, it was in a condition with 17 stab wounds.

The suspect Pendik, a resident of Pandansari Village, Ngantang District, Malang Regency, was arrested at his residence in Harjokuncaran Village, Sumbermanjing Wetan District, Malang Regency.

1. Starting with Asking for Company

The incident began when the suspect, Pendik, was asked by the victim to accompany and assist in an alternative healing ritual for his sick mother. The ritual required the victim to dispose of a jug containing ritual items such as flowers, soil, and gold pieces.

The victim and the suspect then went to Mount Katu, Sumbersuko Village, Wagir District, on Wednesday (27/3/2024) night to perform the ritual. However, upon arrival at the location, a dispute broke out between them, triggered by a proposition for same-sex intercourse, which led to a fight.

2. Victim Slashed with 17 Wounds

The enraged suspect then took a machete and swung it repeatedly at the victim's body, resulting in the victim's death with 17 slash wounds.

"Based on the information obtained by the investigators, the suspect rejected the proposition, leading to a fight between the suspect and the victim, which ended with the suspect slashing the victim with a sharp weapon called bedog," explained Kompol Imam Mustolih, Deputy Chief of Police of Malang, during a press conference on Tuesday (9/4).

3. Valuable Items Taken by the Suspect

After assaulting the victim, the suspect Pendik then took the victim's valuable items and fled the scene. These items include two mobile phones and cash amounting to Rp510,000.

"The sharp weapon used to slash the victim was then discarded along the path towards the suspect's house," he said.

4. The Suspect and the Victim Already Knew Each Other

Meanwhile, Kasatreskrim Polres Malang, AKP Gandha Syah Hidayat revealed that the victim and the suspect already knew each other. Both of them are repeat offenders who have served sentences in Lowokwaru Prison, Malang City.

"The suspect is a repeat offender from a case of violent threats, while the deceased victim is a repeat offender in a molestation case," added AKP Gandha.

5. The Motive for the Murder is Economic

The motive for the suspect's murder was related to economics and revenge. However, the investigators are still delving into the suspect's statement, which revealed that during the incident, the victim made advances towards the suspect for a same-sex relationship, but the suspect refused and a fight ensued.

“The motive was economic, wanting to take control of the victim's assets and revenge. The suspect often borrowed money from the victim,” he said.

6. Threat of 15 Years Imprisonment

AKP Gandha stated that during the examination conducted by the investigators, the suspect PL often provided convoluted statements to confuse the police. He often built alibis to cover up his actions. Until now, the suspect has not admitted to his actions.

Previously, the suspect Pendik was apprehended along with his wife, but as the case developed, the police only designated Pendik as the sole suspect.

To be held accountable for his actions, the suspect is charged with Article 338 of the Criminal Code regarding murder, Article 365 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code regarding theft with violence, and Article 351 paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code regarding assault resulting in death, with a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.

“Through intensive investigation, we have only designated one person as the suspect, the sole suspect involved in this case,” he added.

(kpl/dar/dyn)