Update: autopsy results of eight-year-old Khris in Indonesia lead to arrest warrant for his parents – please pray

The police investigating Khris’ (8) death, who died after being beaten up by children at his school, claim that he died from appendicitis. Now some officials are calling for Khris’ parents to be arrested for spreading false narratives – though their lawyer questions this version of events. Please continue to pray for the family. Please note that the article below contains content that you might find distressing.

After the tragic death of Khris (8) in Indonesia, who died after he was beaten up by some children at his school who mocked his Christian faith, a forensic team conducted an autopsy. The Director of General Criminal Investigation of the Riau Regional Police, Police Commissioner Asep Darmawan, emphasised that although there are indications of violence, the autopsy revealed no evidence that the act of violence directly caused the victim’s death. 

“We will continue to investigate the elements of violence that occurred, but it must be emphasised that the medical cause of the victim’s death was a ruptured appendix that had been infected for a long time and left untreated,” he stated. “Bruising was found on the left abdomen and left thigh, suspected to be from blunt force trauma. However, the main cause of death was a systemic infection due to the rupture of the appendix. The victim’s appendix had been severely infected and had not received medical treatment from the beginning. This led to the infection spreading throughout the abdominal cavity (peritonitis), which ultimately caused death.” 

Family lawyers suspicious of ‘appendicitis’ verdict 

However, the family’s legal team, represented by Martin Simanjuntak, criticised the Riau Police’s statement for being open to multiple interpretations. “The phrase ‘a ruptured appendix that had been infected for a long time’ is ambiguous,” Simanjuntak said. “What does ‘a long time’ mean? A year? Two years? A month? Because before the incident (the alleged beating) on 19 May, this boy was perfectly healthy.”  

Another legal representative of the family, Fredrik Pinakunary, expressed concern over the statement, which seems to imply that the victim’s parents failed to provide proper care or medical attention to their child leading to his illness and eventual death. “If it was indeed appendicitis, that alone does not immediately cause death,” Pinakunary said. “And we’ve discussed this with the medical team: it’s very rare for an eight-year-old child to die from appendicitis. We get the impression that the Riau Police are trying to shape public perception to believe that his death was not caused by violence. This is what we oppose.” 

“There’s talk of criminalising Khris’ parents” 

Responding to the police’s statement about the cause of death, the Director of the National Commission for Oversight of State Apparatus in Indragiri Hulu Regency, Ahmad Pasaribu, stated that he would file a criminal report against the victim’s parents for allegedly spreading false information. “I am requesting that the police arrest the victim’s parents to prevent them from fleeing,” said Ahmad. 

Fredrik criticised this plan. “Khris’ parents have not even dried their tears, and now they must prepare themselves to potentially being summoned by the police on charges of spreading false news. The legal process against the suspected perpetrator is not yet complete, and now there is even talk of criminalising Khris’ parents.” 

Open Doors partners grieve with the family 

Francis* is a local Open Doors partner who travelled to spend time with and pray for Khris’ family shortly after his death.  

“Though surrounded by grief, the family welcomed us with warmth,” he says. “Gimson, the father, shared the heartbreaking story of how Khristopel suffered cruel treatment at school, persecuted by senior students because of his faith in Christ. His eyes glistened with tears as he recounted the events with a trembling voice, and I remained silent, simply listening, holding space for his grief with compassion. When words failed, I embraced him and whispered, ‘May Christ comfort and strengthen you. Your son was brave – and now he is with the Lord.’ 

“Then Khristopel’s mother began to speak. Her voice was filled with pain, confusion, and mourning: ‘Why did God save Khristopel during the dangerous birth by surgery, only to take him away so soon?’ All I could do was sit with her, listen and pray silently for divine comfort. I gently told her, ‘It is okay to ask, to protest, to not understand. That is not rebellion – it is the cry of a heart broken by grief, still trying to cling to God.’ 

“That day with Khristopel’s parents was a sacred moment – one that taught me what it truly means to love, to walk alongside the persecuted church, and to carry their pain in prayer.” 

*Name changed for security reasons 

Please pray: 

• For God’s comfort and protection over Khris’ parents and family as they face legal pressures and public scrutiny 
• For a thorough, fair and transparent investigation into Khris’s death, where the truth will be revealed and upheld  
• That all forms of manipulation, confusion or injustice will be exposed and removed. 

5 June 2025

8-year-old boy in Indonesia tragically dies after being beaten by students for his faith

In heartbreaking news from Indonesia, a young boy has died a week after being beaten by a group of older students who mocked his Christian faith. Please note that the article below contains content that you might find distressing.

An eight-year-old boy in Indonesia has tragically died after being beaten by a group of older students for his faith.

Khris, one of the few Christians at his school, took unkindly to the group saying, “Your God, Jesus, has long hair! He looks weird.” Khris reacted by striking one of them, and in return they hit his back, shoulders and head, with one boy driving his knee into Khris’ stomach. Initially, Khris was able to return home and even kept the incident from his family, saying his dirty clothes were because he fell.

Khris grew increasingly unwell, leading his worried father, Gimson, to confide in a friend – another parent from school. Later that day, one of Khris’ schoolfriends came forward to explain what happened: “Khris was beaten up in the classroom and behind the school by older kids.” Gimson confronted the bullies’ parents and teachers, prompting the boys to admit what they had done.

As the pain worsened, Gimson took Khris to hospital. Doctors gave him fluids and, for a moment, Khris seemed to improve, only for him to deteriorate again. He was taken to a larger hospital, where doctors discovered that the area around his stomach – the solar plexus – was severely infected.

“You can do it, my son. You’re so strong,” Khris’ mother whispered as he lay unconscious and a tear rolled down his face. Heartbreakingly, Khris died on Monday 26 May, a week after the incident.

Ongoing investigation

Prior to his burial, an autopsy was conducted on Khris’ body, and the case is still being handled by the police. The Head of Public Relations of Indragiri Hulu Police, Aiptu Misran, stated, “The Indragiri Hulu Police are currently conducting an intensive investigation and are committed to thoroughly handling the case in accordance with objective and transparent legal procedures.”

The incident has also drawn national attention, with Lalu Hadrian Irfani, Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, saying, “Regarding the five perpetrators who are still minors (around 10–12 years old), we urge that the handling of the case prioritise guidance, rehabilitation and mediation, as stipulated in the Child Protection Law and the Juvenile Criminal Justice System Law (UU SPPA).

“Children who commit acts of violence must face consequences, but these should remain within an educational framework, not merely punitive.”

“He was a kind, beautiful boy”

Khris – his full name Khristopel – loved riding his bike, playing with his little sister Mika, and helping his mother around the house. He wanted to be a soldier when he grew up – to protect those in need. Khris loved Jesus and, at school, that made him different, but such differences weren’t always welcome. Even so, he bravely stayed the same – only for it to come at an awful, tragic cost.

“There’s no one to offer me warm sweet tea anymore,” his mother says, tearfully. “I still iron his clothes and sing worship songs like I used to. It may look like I’m okay, but inside, I’m breaking. I’d trade every ounce of help we’ve received for just one more day with him.”

His father adds, “He was a kind, beautiful boy. He never wanted to be a burden. He just wanted to serve. His dream of becoming a soldier… is gone.”

Open Doors partners have spent time with the family, offering them encouragement, listening to them and praying with them. They are also providing some financial assistance for the family. 

Gimson expressed his gratitude for the support given by local partners. “Thank you for coming all the way here to help and support us. Please pray that we may find the strength to accept this reality, even though our hearts struggle to bear this pain. We hope our son, Khris, will be remembered by many – and that such a tragedy never happens again.”