Jakarta: Amid tears on both sides, young John Ellis on Monday met his mother for the first time since she was accused last week of ordering the murder of his father.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Murder suspect Julaikah Noor Aini was taken from her cell for interrogation in Bali police's criminal investigation department, but was allowed to meet John, 23, briefly before the questioning began.
"When they first met, they hugged," says police spokesman Hery Wiyanto. "The mother was crying, the son too. She said to her son, and to investigators, that she felt sorry for her sons now that they have to live on their own."
Was there anger? "No, he seemed to feel sorry for his mother too, based on what the investigator observed. There must be regrets," Mr Hery said.
The couple's other son, Peter, 19, who is also in Bali, did not attend the meeting.
Afterwards, John handed out a statement saying they were "still coming to terms with an immense and tragic loss".
"Bob was a loving and devoted father, grandfather, brother, son and husband. His loss leaves a hole in the lives of everyone he touched.
"His work in business created jobs for thousands of Indonesians. He was a good and honourable man. His integrity, generosity and spirit is evidenced by the way the business community both expat and Indonesian have rallied to support us and show their respects."
Mr Ellis had two families – one with Ms Noor and another from a first relationship. The statement was signed by John and Peter; the children from the first marriage, Kelvin and Christina; and Mr Ellis's brother David.
"As a family we are unified and will be relentless in seeking answers and justice for what has occurred in this tragedy".
Police have accused Ms Noor of murdering the businessman, whose companies were worth tens of millions of dollars, saying last week that she had confessed. But late in the week she recanted, saying through a lawyer that she had only hired a group of thugs to give him a talking to because he starved her of money.
Other family members and friends have said that is ridiculous: that Ms Noor was extremely well off, had a lucrative business of her own, and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle. They say her motive was that he was trying to rearrange his affairs, including gaining Indonesian citizenship, so he could direct more of the money from the businesses to his sons.
Mr Ellis had told friends a month before his death that Ms Noor had "stolen $250,000 out of their joint bank account while he was on holiday in New Zealand, and that she hadn't explained what she did with the money".
John and Peter Ellis left Bali on Monday for New Zealand where they hope to arrange a funeral for their father.
