Beautiful Body in the Tegalgubug River-Cirebon, Victim of Rape and Murder

Indah (22) became a victim of rape, theft and murder. His body was found in the Tegalgubug river, Cirebon.

DOKUMENTASI POLRESTA CIREBON

Portrait of a number of pieces of evidence in the murder case of Indah Fitriyani (22), a resident of Cirebon, West Java. Indah is a victim of rape, theft and murder.

CIREBON, KOMPAS — The case of finding the body of Indah Fitriyani (22) in a river in the Tegalgubug area, Cirebon Regency, West Java, some time ago was finally revealed. The female student turned out to be a victim of rape, theft and murder. The police also arrested two perpetrators.

This case began when residents of Tegalgubug Lor Village, Arjawinangun District, found a body floating in the local river, Sunday (5/5/2024). When evacuated, the victim's body was swollen and his clothes were open. His hands were also tied behind his back.

After being matched with missing persons reports on Tuesday (7/5/2024), the identity of the body was confirmed to be Indah Fitriyani, a resident of Panguragan Sub-district, Cirebon. Indah worked as a laborer at one of the snack factories in Majalengka Regency, West Java. She was also a student at a university in Cirebon.

Also read: Bodies Wrapped in Sheets in Cirebon Victims of Husband's Murder, Motive was Jealousy

The police then investigated the finding of the body by questioning five witnesses, such as the victim's family and close friends. Through the investigation, the police identified two perpetrators in the case. They are Chandra alias CH (23) and Fahmi or FH (21). They are also residents of Cirebon.

"We arrested the first (perpetrator) (CH) in the Indramayu area (West Java), last Friday. "Then, it expanded to (FH) in Susukan District in Cirebon," said Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit Cirebon Police Commissioner Hario Prasetyo, Saturday (11/5/2024).

When he was about to be arrested, said Hario, the perpetrator resisted. The police also fired hot lead at the feet of the perpetrators.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Head of the Cirebon Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Commissioner Hario Prasetyo, when interviewed in Cirebon, West Java, Saturday (11/5/2024).

CH also picked up Indah at the boarding house on Friday night and then went to her house. There, FH waited. "When the victim entered the room, the perpetrator hit the victim on the head (with a block). "When the victim fainted, the perpetrator CH had sexual intercourse with the victim, taking turns with FH," he said.

At the time of the incident, CH's grandmother was present at the location. However, she was unaware of the event as she is already senile and has hearing impairment. CH has been living with his grandmother all this time as his father is working in Kalimantan, while his mother has passed away.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Residents show the location where the body was found in the Wanganayam River in Jatipura Village, Susukan District, Cirebon Regency, West Java, Friday (19/1/2024). On Wednesday (10/1/2024), residents found a body wrapped in a sheet.

The perpetrator's atrocities did not stop there. They also killed the victim by strangling him. After confirming that the victim was dead, the two perpetrators tied the victim's hands behind her back and tied her mouth. Indah's body was then put in a sack.

In the early hours of Saturday (4/5/2024), the two of them threw the victim's body into the river which was about 10 meters from the perpetrator's house. The next day, Indah's body was found by residents in the Tegalgubug area. Not only that, the perpetrator also stole the victim's laptop and cell phone (HP).

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

A police line is installed at one of the boarding houses in Kedawung District, Cirebon Regency, West Java, Thursday (9/4/2024). At the boarding house, the police found the body of a woman suspected of being a murder victim.

"The victim and perpetrator of sexual abuse (CH) knew each other. They have been acquainted through social media Facebook for about 5 months. However, this is the first time they have met," said Hario. CH is also a repeat offender of a child abuse case and was released from prison around a year ago using the same method.

For their actions, the two perpetrators were charged under Article 340 juncto Article 338 juncto Article 286, and Article 365 of the Criminal Code (KUHP). The two perpetrators who worked odd jobs were threatened with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison or the death penalty.

Sa'adah, Program Manager for the Women's Crisis Center Mawar Balqis, an agency that supports cases of violence against children and women, said that the rape and murder of Indah added to the length of cases of violence against women in Cirebon. The modes are varied.

We must be careful with the use of social media. The perpetrator's method is usually to invite the victim to meet him. Then, commit violence.

On Thursday (9/5/2024) afternoon, for example, Anita (21) became the victim of murder by Casnadi (30). They met via a dating application on social media. The body of the woman from Indramayu was found curled up in a cupboard in one of the boarding house rooms in Kedawung, Cirebon.

"We have to be vigilant against the use of social media. The modus operandi is usually for the perpetrator to invite the victim to meet up, and then commit violence," said Sa'adah. Her agency urges parents to supervise their children more closely. The government and police also need to increase the protection of citizens.

Also read: New Facts about Finding Anita's Body in a Cupboard in Cirebon