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Arrest made in Central Java poisoning case
Police in Indonesia have detained a 40-year-old man suspected of killing his mother-in-law by sending her chicken satay laced with rat poison. The incident occurred in Boyolali, Central Java, on 19 May 2026.
How the attack unfolded
According to investigators, Purwadi Wahyudi ordered chicken skewers on 18 May, deliberately contaminated them with toxic chemicals, and arranged delivery to the victim's home. Detectives allege he targeted the woman after feeling disrespected by her.
The victim, identified only as Aminah, 57, was found dead the following day by her daughter, Luriyanti Putri. Police say Purwadi attempted to frame Putri for the crime.
Evidence and motive
Putri told authorities her mother had received an unsolicited delivery of satay the day before her death. She warned Aminah not to eat it, suspecting it wasn't from a trusted source. A neighbor also reported seeing dead chickens near the victim's coop.
After the family raised concerns about the unnatural circumstances of Aminah's death, her body was exhumed. Forensic tests revealed poisoning in most major organs and traces of toxic chemicals.
Premeditated plot
The head of Boyolali police's criminal investigation unit, Indrawan Wira Saputra, described the killing as carefully planned. Purwadi allegedly used Putri's name and photo to create a fake delivery account, impersonating her to avoid suspicion.
The delivery driver and satay vendor both noted inconsistencies: the driver expected a woman to collect the order, while the vendor said the packaging had been altered by the time it reached Aminah.
Legal consequences
Purwadi has been named a suspect and is in custody but has not yet been formally charged. Murder in Indonesia carries a potential death penalty or a minimum 20-year prison sentence.
