TULUNGAGUNG – Police in Tulungagung have officially concluded that an elderly woman found dead in a well in Gedangsewu Village, Boyolangu District, died by suicide after suffering severe depression linked to alleged bullying at a local market.
The tragic case drew public attention in recent weeks because residents suspected foul play. Investigators spent weeks reviewing evidence before reaching their final conclusion. The Tulungagung Police Criminal Investigation Unit held four separate case reviews to ensure the findings remained accurate and consistent.
Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit, Iptu Andi Wiranata Tamba, said detectives found no evidence pointing to murder or robbery.
Investigators first examined the possibility of financial motives. However, officers quickly dismissed that theory after checking the victim’s belongings inside the house.
“The victim still wore earrings, bracelets, and a necklace when officers found the body. We also discovered around Rp 16 million in loan money inside the house,” Andi said.
Police also inspected the area around the victim’s home during the investigation. Officers reviewed CCTV footage recorded between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., the estimated time of death.
According to investigators, the footage showed no suspicious movement near the property. Officers then checked the rear area of the house after learning heavy rain had fallen that night.
“The ground remained muddy after the rain. If another person had entered or left the area, footprints would have appeared clearly,” Andi explained.
Police found no footprints, damaged property, or signs of forced entry. Detectives therefore ruled out the involvement of outsiders.
Investigators later focused on the victim’s mental condition. The elderly woman worked as a trader at a traditional market in the area. Police believe she faced repeated bullying from fellow traders who often accused her of stealing.
According to investigators, the accusations deeply affected the victim’s emotional condition. Police said the stress likely worsened several illnesses she already suffered, including gastric problems and typhoid symptoms.
“The victim experienced serious psychological pressure. That burden appears to have triggered depression and psychosomatic illness,” Andi said.
The case also raised questions because officers found several cuts on the victim’s neck. Investigators stated the wounds matched injuries seen in previous suicide cases in Tulungagung.
Police said the victim made between three and five cuts using a knife. Detectives also checked the clothing of the victim’s children and in-laws during the investigation.
Officers found no blood stains or evidence linking family members to the death. Investigators also uncovered no signs of family conflict or domestic pressure.
After completing four case reviews, Tulungagung Police officially declared the incident a suicide caused by prolonged depression.