Arthur Leigh Welohr, a 35-year-old man from San Francisco, is currently in custody in Indonesia. He stands accused of beheading his father-in-law, Agus Sopiyan, aged 58. The incident happened on September 24, in Banjar City, West Java. Business relations between Welohr and Sopiyan, described as a collaborative venture, seemed to be a focal point of their tensions.
Residents in the vicinity of Welohr’s home reported hearing the two in a heated conversation. Initial reactions were of little concern, assuming it to be a general business disagreement. This assessment took a dark turn when Welohr allegedly used a knife against Sopiyan. Video evidence from the scene later showed the severe nature of Sopiyan’s injuries. Acting swiftly, local inhabitants detained Welohr until police officials took him into custody.
A search by law enforcement subsequently uncovered the nearly decapitated body of Sopiyan located behind his residence. Offering perspective on the situation, a local named Rizal mentioned that many assumed it to be a typical quarrel before things rapidly worsened.
Nandi Darmawan, an official from Banjar Police, said that a comprehensive account of the investigation would be publicized once finalized. Additional information from the police, through Ali Jupri, highlighted that Welohr felt Sopiyan was negatively impacting his marital life, possibly amplifying the confrontation. Welohr had had previous clashes with Sopiyan, once allegedly vandalizing his home.
Welohr may be prosecuted under Article 338 of Indonesia’s Penal Code. This could lead to a prison sentence of up to 15 years for manslaughter charges. Back in 2015, Welohr was involved in a separate violent incident in San Francisco. Accusations at that time included an alleged sword attack on two persons, leading to attempted murder charges. The conclusion of that case is unknown.