The Indonesian Forum for the Environment’s (Walhi) North Sumatra chapter director, Dana Prima Tarigan, said Golfrid’s cause of death was still unknown.

“The police should uncover the case transparently, so as to avoid public speculation [and] also to give a sense of security to human rights activists and civilians in North Sumatra,” Dana told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Golfried lost contact with his family on Wednesday, and the next day, he was found severely injured on the side of the Simpang Pos Padang Bulan overpass in Medan. He died at a hospital on Sunday from his injuries.

Deli Tua Police in Deli Serdang regency, which are handling the case, previously claimed that Golfried had been a victim of a traffic accident. The activist's relatives, however, refuted the report as Golfried’s motorcycle had been found without any damages to it.

"His head bore serious injuries as if it had been struck with a blunt object. His body oddly remained clean," Walhi North Sumatra staffer Roy Lumbangaol said on Monday.

Roy further said that Golfrid's skull had been fractured, requiring him to undergo surgery at Adam Malik Hospital on Friday. He died two days later. 

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