“The physical examination shows signs of blunt trauma to the head, neck and chest areas,” West Lombok Police chief detective Adj. Comr. Lalu Eka Arya Mardiwinata said on Sept. 18.

The findings were based on an autopsy and strengthened the conjecture that Maria Matilde Muñoz Cazorla was murdered.

Forensic examination results show the condition of Muñoz Cazorla’s body, which had already decomposed.

The body was found in face down position, wearing clothes and jewelry, including two necklaces, with a snail pendant and Buddha figurine.

Seventy-three-year-old Muñoz Cazorla was reported missing in early July. She was last seen at her hotel where she stayed in the Senggigi area and said she wanted to go to the beach.

The search process involved various parties, including sniffer dogs from the West Nusa Tenggara Police.

The case received a new lead when the victim’s bag and documents were found at a dumpsite.

From a series of investigations, the West Lombok Police announced SU and HR, also known as G, were suspects. They are both currently detained at the West Lombok Police’ detention center.

A joint team consisting of officers from the West Lombok Police and Batulayar sub-precinct police arrested both suspects on Aug. 30.

HR was arrested at his house in Loco hamlet, Senggigi village, while SU was arrested at a hospital in the provincial capital of Mataram.

Both suspects admitted that they killed Muñoz Cazorla on July 2 and took her belongings.

Her body was then stored in a generator set room for four days. On July 6, the body was moved to the back of a hotel.

In August, the body was moved again to an empty plot of land upstream from the hotel. 

Finally on Aug. 24, the victim’s skeleton was moved and buried on a beach in Loco hamlet in the vicinity of an out of business hotel.

“Based on testimonies from both suspects, we brought them to the location to show the place where they buried the victim,” Eka said.

“Aftar digging at the location, the body was found buried half a meter deep. It had already turned into a skeleton.”

The police are still completing the dossier for the case and will deliver it to the prosecutors’ office next.

Both suspects are charged with violating Article 340 of the Criminal Code on premeditated murder, Article 338 on murder and Article 364 clause 4 on theft with violence leading to death. (nvn)