Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Indonesian family lives with dead relatives for 2 years

In a bizarre incident, an Indonesian family was found living with the bodies of two of their relatives in the hope that they would come back to life.

According to reports, a medical officer on a routine visit became suspicious after 77-year-old Neneng Hatidjah refused to let him inside the house. The medical officer then tipped off authorities who found the nearly skeletal bodies of the septuagenarian's husband and daughter in the home in Cimahi, West Java.


Hatidjah's daughter had been dead for nearly two years and her husband died in December aged 85. Both of them died of illness.

"She said she heard whispers that if she took care of the dead bodies, they would come back to life," local police spokesman Hari Suprapto told AFP on Wednesday.

Interestingly, living with the dead is an ancient custom among the Torajan people in Indonesia. The bodies of the dead are injected with a preservative to stop them from decomposing, and the dead are kept in a room where relatives bring them food and drinks. The bodies are washed regularly and they even have visitors.

Mamak Lisa, a Torajan woman who spoke to the BBC, said she has kept the body of her father for 12 years, and added that preserving his body helped her deal with his death.

"If we buried him straight away, we would also feel the pain very suddenly. We wouldn't get time to deal with the grief and adjust to the separation," she said.

While preserving the dead is a custom for many, there are others who do it just to avoid loneliness. Take for instance Jean Stevens. When her husband died in 2000, she turned to her twin sister June for company. But when June passed away in 2009, Jean became lonely as she did not have anyone to talk to. That's what prompted her to get the graves of both her husband and her sister exhumed.

She brought their bodies back home and gave June a spare room in her house. Jean dressed up the two corpses and even spritzed them with perfumes so that they would stink less.

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less