Indonesian Man Kills Wife 10 Days After Giving Birth Over Debt Shame

A woman in Dompu, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, was brutally murdered by her husband just ten days after giving birth to their second child.

The husband, identified as 30-year-old SYA, allegedly killed 28-year-old YU, also known as Sri, because he was ashamed of her mounting debts and the gossip circulating about them on Facebook.

The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday, 7 June 2025, at their home in Dusun Nangasia, Desa Marada, Kecamatan Hu’u, Dompu Regency.

Husband Claimed Wife’s Debt Embarrassed the Family

According to AKP Zuharis, spokesperson for the Dompu Police, the suspect admitted to killing his wife due to frustration and shame over her borrowing habits.

He told police he felt her debts were humiliating to their extended family and that her name was often the subject of online gossip.

“During police interrogation, the suspect admitted he found his wife’s frequent borrowing embarrassing for the extended family. Feeling pressured and losing control, he ended her life inside their bedroom,” said Zuharis.

Attack Wife With 60 cm Long Machete

Police said the attack was carried out with a machete approximately 60 centimetres long.

The suspect struck the back of his wife’s head and slashed both of her wrists, leaving deep, gaping wounds that were nearly severed.

Their First Child Found the Body

The gruesome discovery was made around 7:00 am on the same day.

Reports stated that the couple’s first child entered the bedroom and found his mother lying face down and covered in blood.

The child immediately alerted their grandmother (victim’s mother), who rushed into the room and was horrified by what she saw.

“The first person to see the condition of the victim was their child, who then reported it to the grandmother,” said AKP Zuharis.

Shocked by the scene, the grandmother screamed, drawing neighbours to the house.

Neighbours at the scene of the crime. Photo courtesy of Detik Bali

One of them, Mahani, said that Sri was found in an extremely disturbing condition, with visible head wounds and both wrists nearly severed.

She also said she was shocked, especially since the couple had just held a ceremony for their baby’s birth the day before.

“It was only 10 days after giving birth. Just yesterday, they had a religious ceremony (a ritual of shaving a baby’s hair) for the newborn,” she added.

Suspect Fled and Hid at His Parents’ Home

After the killing, the suspect fled the scene and went into hiding at his parents’ house in Dusun Wera, Desa Lepadi, Kecamatan Pajo.

He left behind his wife’s body and their ten-day-old baby inside the house.

The Arrest and Murder Weapon Seized

Following this, police located and arrested the victim at the house, despite resistance from his family during the operation.

Officers also seized the machete believed to have been used in the killing.

Facing Domestic Violence Charges, Carrying a 15-Year Sentence

Police have detained the suspect at the Dompu Police headquarters while legal proceedings continue.

According to reports, he will be charged under Indonesia’s Law Number 23 of 2004 concerning the Elimination of Domestic Violence, specifically for acts resulting in death.

If convicted, he faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

Investigations Ongoing, Looking Into Suspect’s Psychological Background

Zuharis said police are continuing to investigate the case, including looking into the suspect’s psychological background and any additional factors that may have contributed to the violence.

Featured photos courtesy of Detik Bali and Unsplash