TULUNGAGUNG – An elderly man who had been missing for two days was found dead along the banks of the Brantas River in Tulungagung, East Java, authorities confirmed on Thursday morning.
The victim, Kasbani, 66, lived in Krajan 3 Hamlet, Betak Village, Kalidawir District. Residents discovered his body near Sambirejo Hamlet, Sambirobyong Village, Sumbergempol District, at around 8:30 a.m. local time.
A local fisherman spotted the body while searching for fish in the Brantas River. He immediately contacted the victim’s family and village officials, who later informed Sumbergempol Police.
Sumbergempol Police Chief AKP Moh. Anshori said officers rushed to the scene after receiving the report. Police officers secured the area and worked with the forensic identification unit from Tulungagung Police and medical workers from the Sumbergempol Community Health Center.
“The medical team and forensic officers did not find signs of violence or abuse on the victim’s body. The victim died from drowning,” Anshori said.
Residents found the victim face down in a deep section of the river. His head pointed west, while his feet faced east. Investigators believe the victim accidentally entered the river area before drowning.
Police records show Kasbani’s family reported him missing to Kalidawir Police on Wednesday. He left his home on Tuesday morning at around 6 a.m. while riding a blue Polygon bicycle.
According to his son, Andri, Kasbani had experienced memory loss for a long time due to old age. The family believes he became confused and lost his way before the accident happened.
Investigators suspect the elderly man wandered near the river while disoriented. They ruled out criminal activity after completing the examination.
Meanwhile, the family accepted the tragedy and refused a full autopsy. They only requested an external examination before taking the body home for burial in Betak Village, Kalidawir District.
After medical workers completed the examination, the family brought the victim’s body back to their home for funeral preparations. The incident also sparked concern among local residents about the safety of elderly people who suffer from memory-related conditions.