Briton falls from 21st floor of apartment building

A British citizen, identified as Alexander Smith (30), fell to his death from the 21st floor of an apartment building in the Rasuna Said area, South Jakarta, at about 12.30 local time, and his body was immediately sent to the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) for an autopsy.

Dr Mun`im Idris, an RSCM forensic expert, told the press here on Monday, traces of narcotic drugs had been found in the victim`s body.

"An examination of the victim`s urine showed the victim had consumed narcotic drugs, namely hashish and crystal methamphetamine," Mun`im said, adding that Smith was also identified as a journalist.

He said the two kinds of narcotic drugs usually causes their user to suffer from hallucinations and loss of the sense of reality.

Meanwhile, chief of the Setiabudi police precinct, Adjunct Commissioner Suwondo Nainggolan, said a police team was conducting an intensive examination at the location of the incident and also seeking more information from the victim`s friends.

Police had yet to arrive at a conclusion on the cause of Smith`s free fall from the 21st floor of the building housing many foreigners.

The victim`s body was found lying on the floor of a part of the building that was only five storeys high. Some of the victim`s belongings, including a laptop, were also found near his body.(*) end