World

Man accused of killing mother-in-law with poison-laced satay

BBC World · 2026-06-09

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: A 40-year-old man in Indonesia, Purwadi Wahyudi, was arrested for allegedly murdering his mother-in-law by serving her chicken satay laced with rat poison. The incident occurred on May 18, and police found evidence of premeditation in the crime. • Why it matters: This case highlights issues of domestic violence and the extreme measures some individuals may take in familial conflicts. It also raises concerns about food safety and the potential for poisoning in seemingly innocuous meals. • What to watch next: Authorities are continuing their investigation, and Wahyudi has not yet been formally charged. The case will likely draw attention to legal proceedings in Indonesia, where severe penalties for murder are enforced.

**Man Arrested in Indonesia for Allegedly Poisoning Mother-in-Law with Satay**

A 40-year-old man in Indonesia has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his mother-in-law by serving her chicken satay laced with rat poison. The incident reportedly took place on May 18, when Purwadi Wahyudi allegedly ordered the skewers, tampered with them using toxic chemicals, and then arranged for them to be delivered to the victim's home in Central Java.

Police reports indicate that Wahyudi felt disrespected by his mother-in-law, identified only as Aminah, which allegedly motivated him to commit the crime. After the delivery, Aminah's body was discovered the following day by her youngest daughter, Luriyanti Putri, who found her mother unresponsive and covered in vomit.

Initially, the family buried Aminah, but later contacted the authorities due to suspicions that her death was not due to natural causes. Putri informed investigators that her mother had received a delivery of chicken satay from an unknown sender the day before her death, and she had advised her not to consume the food.

Further investigation revealed that a neighbor had observed dead chickens near Aminah's coop, raising additional concerns about the circumstances surrounding her demise. Following these developments, police exhumed Aminah's body for forensic testing, which indicated signs of poisoning in several major organs, along with traces of toxic chemicals.

Indrawan Wira Saputra, the head of the Boyolali police's criminal investigation unit, stated that the murder appeared to be premeditated. Wahyudi allegedly impersonated his sister-in-law, Putri, on a delivery app, using her name and photograph to place the order. This deception raised suspicions with the delivery driver, who expected to meet a woman rather than Wahyudi. Additionally, the vendor who sold the satay noted that the food was repackaged before it was delivered to Aminah.

While Wahyudi has been named a suspect and is currently in custody, he has not yet been formally charged with murder. In Indonesia, a murder conviction can lead to severe penalties, including the death penalty or a minimum of 20 years in prison. The investigation continues as authorities seek to gather more evidence regarding the case.

Source: BBC World
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