A young female golf athlete was reportedly abducted while attending her family’s birthday celebration at a restaurant in Central Jakarta, in a case that has drawn police attention after her phone was later traced to a residential area in Bali.
Jesslyn Wijaya Lay was reported as the victim of a suspected kidnapping while attending a family birthday event at Saung Kita Restaurant in Mangga Besar, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta. Central Jakarta Metro Police are now investigating the report.
What Happened, According to Witnesses
Family lawyer Andi Darti said the suspected abduction occurred on Monday, July 13, at approximately 7:45pm local time. Based on witness accounts obtained by the family, shortly before the birthday celebration was set to begin, the victim was allegedly blindfolded and taken by two large-built men into a black vehicle.
“The victim reportedly screamed for help and attempted to get out of the vehicle, but was then forced back inside,” Andi said in Jakarta on Monday, July 20, 2026.
Since the incident, Jesslyn has been unreachable by both family and friends. The phone believed to have been used by the victim has also been inaccessible.
Unverified Leads Under Investigation
Andi said police have visited the scene of the incident, taken statements from several witnesses, and are tracing multiple locations potentially linked to the victim’s whereabouts.
According to Andi, the family has also received information, still requiring verification, suggesting the victim may have traveled to Malaysia via Semarang on July 14, 2026.
Separately, the family received information indicating that a phone believed to belong to the victim was still being detected in the Puri Jimbaran area of Bali.
Andi stressed that all of this information still requires further investigation by police to confirm its accuracy. “We hope the Indonesian National Police continue investigative measures that are professional, objective, transparent, and accountable,” he said.
Police Confirm Investigation Underway
Central Jakarta Metro Police Criminal Investigation Chief AKBP Roby Heri Saputra confirmed his office has received the report regarding the alleged incident.
“We are currently investigating further to establish all the facts involved,” Roby said in a statement.
The report has been registered under case number LP/B/2092/VII/2026/SPKT/POLRES METRO JAKPUS/POLDA METRO JAYA. Investigators are continuing to gather facts and evidence as they pursue the kidnapping investigation.
What We Know So Far
- Golf athlete Jesslyn Wijaya Lay was reportedly abducted at a Jakarta restaurant during her family’s birthday celebration on July 13.
- Witnesses say she was blindfolded and forced into a vehicle by two men after attempting to escape and call for help.
- She has been unreachable since the incident, and her phone remains inaccessible.
- Unverified information suggests she may have traveled to Malaysia via Semarang, while her phone’s last known signal was reportedly detected in the Puri Jimbaran area of Bali.
- Central Jakarta Metro Police have registered the case and are actively investigating.
Authorities have not confirmed the victim’s whereabouts, identified any suspects, or established a motive. The investigation remains ongoing, and this report will be updated as more information becomes available.