BALI, RAKYAT NEWS – The Angeline murder case remains one of the most shocking and tragic criminal cases in Bali’s recent history. In 2015, the disappearance of 8-year-old Angeline from her home in Denpasar sparked widespread concern and media attention. Initially, her adoptive mother, Margriet Christina Megawe, claimed that Angeline had vanished near their residence without a trace. However, the case soon took a horrifying turn.

After an intense investigation, authorities discovered the lifeless body of Angeline buried in the backyard of her home. The child’s body was bound with rope, wrapped in a blanket, and clutching a doll. This chilling discovery revealed the extent of the abuse Angeline had suffered in her final days, and the revelation sent shockwaves through the Indonesian public and the international community.

Margriet Megawe, Angeline’s adoptive mother, was arrested and charged with premeditated murder, child abuse, and neglect. The investigation also implicated Agustay Hamdamay, a household worker, who was arrested for assisting in the disposal of Angeline’s body. Both were put on trial, and in 2016, the Denpasar District Court sentenced Megawe to life imprisonment for her role in the brutal killing.

The case highlighted the disturbing issue of child abuse and neglect in Indonesia, sparking widespread outrage. It prompted calls for stricter laws and stronger measures to protect vulnerable children in the country. The public outcry was palpable, and many demanded justice for Angeline, whose life was tragically cut short under the cruel actions of those who were supposed to care for her.

After years of legal proceedings, the case seemed to reach a final conclusion in 2024, but not in the way many had expected.

Margriet Megawe, who had been serving her life sentence at the Women’s Prison (Lapas Perempuan) in Kerobokan, Bali, passed away due to chronic kidney failure. She had been undergoing dialysis treatments for several months before her death, which occurred at a local hospital.

Ni Luh Putu Andiyani, the head of the Kerobokan Women’s Prison, confirmed Megawe’s death and stated that her remains had been handed over to her family for burial. Megawe had been suffering from stage-five kidney failure and had been receiving dialysis treatments twice a week since July 2024. The prison had been monitoring her condition closely, and she had received ongoing medical care throughout her incarceration.

Dr. Ida Ayu Sri Indra Laksmi, a doctor at the prison, provided further details about Megawe’s health care during her imprisonment. She explained that the prison had ensured Megawe’s health was regularly checked, and dialysis treatments were carried out with the assistance of prison staff. The authorities also made arrangements for the proper handling of Megawe’s body and coordinated with her family for the funeral process.

“We extend our condolences for the passing of Margriet Christina Megawe,” Andiyani said, acknowledging the unfortunate circumstances surrounding her death. “We have worked with the family to ensure her rights as a human being are respected,” she added, showing sensitivity toward the delicate situation.

The case of Angeline’s murder had left a lasting emotional impact on the community, and the sentencing of Megawe to life imprisonment had been a significant moment for the justice system. The horrific details of the case, including Angeline’s abuse and tragic death, had caused national outrage, leading to greater awareness about child welfare issues in the country.

The discovery of Angeline’s body and the subsequent investigation shed light on the dark realities of abuse within the family setting. The case also brought attention to the role of law enforcement in uncovering such heinous crimes and holding perpetrators accountable. The public’s demand for justice for Angeline was finally addressed through the court’s verdict, but it was a justice that came too late to save the innocent child.

Alongside Megawe, Agustay Hamdamay, who assisted in burying Angeline’s body, was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement. The case not only raised awareness about the dangers of child abuse but also served as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from harm.

While Margriet Megawe’s death marks the end of her time behind bars, the haunting memory of Angeline’s suffering and untimely death will never be forgotten. Her story remains a tragic example of the horrors that can unfold within the confines of what should have been a safe home. The Angeline case continues to be a grim reminder of the need for greater protection and support for children facing neglect and abuse in Indonesia.

The case of Angeline has led to important discussions about child protection laws in Indonesia, and it serves as a stark warning about the potential dangers that vulnerable children face. It is hoped that the Angeline case will inspire stronger efforts to safeguard the rights of children and prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.

 

BALI, RAKYAT NEWS – The Angeline murder case shocked the nation and drew widespread attention both in Indonesia and internationally.

In 2015, 8-year-old Angeline went missing from her home in Denpasar, Bali. Initially, her adoptive mother, Margriet Christina Megawe, claimed that the child had disappeared near their house. However, the investigation took a dark turn when Angeline’s lifeless body was discovered buried in the backyard of the house, bound with rope and wrapped in a blanket while clutching a doll.

The discovery of Angeline’s body revealed the extent of the abuse she had suffered at the hands of her adoptive mother. Margriet Megawe was arrested and charged with premeditated murder, child abuse, and neglect. Alongside her, Agustay Hamdamay, a household worker, was also arrested for assisting in the disposal of the body.

In 2016, the Denpasar District Court sentenced Margriet Megawe to life imprisonment after finding her guilty of the murder. The case highlighted the grave issue of child abuse and neglect, sparking outrage across Indonesia and prompting calls for stricter laws and better protection for vulnerable children.

Margriet Christina Megawe, the convicted murderer of 8-year-old Angeline in Bali, has passed away due to chronic kidney failure. She was serving a life sentence for her role in the brutal killing of her adopted daughter in 2015. The news of her death was confirmed by Ni Luh Putu Andiyani, the head of the Women’s Prison (Lapas Perempuan) in Kerobokan, Badung, Bali, who reported that Megawe’s remains had been handed over to her family.

Megawe died at a local hospital after battling stage-five chronic kidney failure. She had been undergoing regular dialysis treatments twice a week since July 2024. The prison had been closely monitoring her condition during her incarceration, and she received medical care and support throughout her time in prison.

Dr. Ida Ayu Sri Indra Laksmi, a doctor at Kerobokan Women’s Prison, explained that Megawe’s health had been regularly checked, and she had been receiving dialysis treatments with assistance from prison staff. The prison authorities also ensured that her body was properly prepared for burial, coordinating with her family for the funeral arrangements.

“We express our condolences for the passing of Margriet Christina Megawe. We have coordinated with the family to honor her rights as a human being,” Andiyani added, acknowledging the tragic circumstances surrounding her death.

In 2016, Megawe was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of premeditated murder, child abuse, and neglect. The case garnered widespread attention both in Indonesia and internationally when Angeline was reported missing in May 2015. Megawe initially claimed that the young girl had disappeared near their home in Denpasar.

However, the case took a darker turn when police discovered Angeline’s body buried in the backyard of the house, bound with rope, clutching a doll, and wrapped in a blanket. The discovery shocked the public, and the investigation revealed the horrifying details of the child’s death.

Alongside Megawe, the police also arrested Agustay Hamdamay, an employee at the household, who assisted in burying Angeline’s body. Hamdamay was later sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in the crime. The case brought attention to the issue of child abuse and neglect in Indonesia, sparking outrage across the nation.

Margriet Christina Megawe’s passing closes a tragic chapter in the Angeline murder case, which had already left a deep scar on the local community and the public’s consciousness. The case had been one of the most high-profile criminal cases in Bali in recent years, and the justice system’s verdict was seen as a way to address the emotional wounds left behind.

Although Megawe’s death marks the end of her time behind bars, the memories of Angeline and the horrific crime she suffered remain etched in the minds of many. The case continues to serve as a grim reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from abuse and neglect in society. (Uki Ruknuddin)

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