Tommy Schaefer, the American man convicted of murdering his girlfriend’s mother in Bali and hiding her body in a suitcase, has been deported to the United States after serving 11 years in an Indonesian prison. The 33-year-old now faces federal charges in Chicago for a crime that shocked the international community in 2014.
The Brutal Crime That Shocked Bali
In 2014, Schaefer traveled to the Indonesian resort island with his then-girlfriend Heather Mack and her mother, Sheila von Wiese-Mack. Prosecutors revealed the couple conspired to kill the 62-year-old woman to access a $1.5 million trust fund. During the attack, Mack covered her mother’s mouth while Schaefer struck her head with a fruit bowl. The body was stuffed into a suitcase and abandoned in a taxi trunk, where the driver discovered it and alerted authorities.
An Indonesian court sentenced Schaefer to 18 years in prison in 2015 for what the judge described as a sadistic killing. Mack, who was 18 and pregnant at the time of the murder, received a 10-year sentence due to her lesser role and her pregnancy. She was released and deported in 2021, only to be arrested immediately upon arrival in America. After initially pleading not guilty, she changed her plea and received a 26-year federal sentence for conspiracy to kill a U.S. national and obstruction of justice.
Early Release and American Justice Awaits
Schaefer earned his early release through multiple remissions for good behavior during his incarceration. Before boarding his deportation flight Tuesday night, he offered a brief apology to reporters. He stated he takes full responsibility for his actions and hopes the victim’s family finds peace, though he claimed he was thrust into the situation. The convicted killer is scheduled to appear in federal court in Chicago on Thursday to face additional charges.
A Case Highlighting International Justice
The case demonstrates the complex intersection of international and domestic law enforcement when Americans commit crimes abroad. While Schaefer served his sentence in Indonesia’s correctional system, U.S. authorities maintained their own investigation and prepared federal charges. During his trial, Schaefer claimed self-defense, alleging Wiese-Mack became angry after learning about her daughter’s pregnancy. The prosecution’s evidence and the brutal nature of the crime led to his conviction and lengthy sentence, though Indonesian good behavior policies allowed his early release after serving approximately 60 percent of his original 18-year term.