Dismembered Body Found in Batang Anai River Suspected Victim of Mutilation

A horrific discovery shocked residents near the Batang Anai River in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra, as a dismembered body was found floating in the water on Tuesday, June 17. The local police chief, Iptu Wadriadi, confirmed that the body was in a condition strongly indicating it was a victim of a gruesome mutilation. The corpse was found in several parts, apparently discarded in the river to obscure the crime.

According to witnesses, the body was found after a foul smell began spreading from the river’s edge. Upon inspection, villagers discovered severed limbs and other body parts floating in the water. Authorities were promptly notified, and officers from the Padang Pariaman Police Department, along with a forensic team, arrived at the scene to secure and investigate the remains. The recovery was challenging due to the river's current and the advanced state of decomposition.

Iptu Wadriadi stated that the remains have been sent to Bhayangkara Hospital for autopsy. The forensic examination aims to determine the exact cause of death and estimate the time of the mutilation. As of now, the identity of the victim remains unknown. No identification documents or recognizable personal items were found near the body, and the police are cross-referencing missing persons reports from nearby towns and districts.

The discovery has left residents deeply unsettled. The Batang Anai River, typically a peaceful area used by locals for fishing and bathing, has suddenly become a crime scene. Some residents expressed their fear and reluctance to return to the riverbank. The atmosphere of the village has changed drastically as uncertainty and horror cloud daily life.

Police have established a public information post and encouraged citizens who may be missing family members to come forward with any helpful information. Investigators suspect the murder took place elsewhere and the body was disposed of in the river afterward. The clean cuts on the limbs suggest a deliberate and possibly well-planned crime, likely involving a sharp object and knowledge of anatomy.

Investigators are now examining CCTV footage from nearby roads and bridges leading to the Batang Anai River. They hope to identify any suspicious activity or vehicles that may have passed the area in recent days. Further river patrols are underway to search for other missing body parts that may have drifted downstream.

Chief Wadriadi emphasized that solving this case is a top priority for law enforcement. He urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified rumors. Updates will be shared regularly, and all resources are being mobilized to identify and arrest the perpetrator behind this chilling act.

This incident marks a grim warning about public safety in the region. Authorities are calling on all residents to be vigilant and report any unusual behavior or findings to the nearest police station. With community cooperation, the investigation may advance more swiftly and bring justice to the victim and their family.