American released from Indonesia jail after serving 11 years for 'suitcase murder' as US case looms

Indonesia has freed and deported an American who spent 11 years successful situation for the premeditated execution of his then-girlfriend's parent connected the tourer land of Bali. Now, he's facing national charges successful the U.S.

Tommy Schafer, who returned to the U.S. connected Tuesday, was sentenced to 18 years successful situation for the 2014 execution of Sheila von Wiese-Mack, the parent of his then-girlfriend Heather Mack, during a luxury vacation. 

Prosecutors person said that the mates was trying to summation entree to a $1.5 cardinal spot fund, The Associated Press reported. In August 2014, the battered assemblage of 62-year-old von Wiese-Mack was recovered successful a suitcase successful the trunk of a taxi parked astatine the St. Regis Bali Resort.

At the clip of the murder, Mack was astir 19 years aged and a fewer weeks pregnant, portion Schaefer was 21 years old, the AP reported. Prosecutors said that Mack covered her mother's rima portion Schaefer deed the 63-year-old with a effect bowl, according to the AP. The outlet noted that the 2 were arrested the time aft von Wiese-Mack's assemblage was found.

Tommy Schaefer, of Chicago, Ill., who, on with his woman Heather Mack, is accused of murdering Mack's parent Sheila von Wiese-Mack, arrives for his proceedings proceeding astatine the territory tribunal successful Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia connected Jan. 21, 2015. (Firdia Lisnawati, File/AP Photo)

The U.S. District Court successful Chicago charged Schafer and Mack with conspiracy to perpetrate execution and obstruction of justness successful 2017. The charges were listed successful an indictment that remained sealed until Nov. 3, 2021, erstwhile Mack was arrested upon her instrumentality to the U.S. She had served 7 years of a 10-year condemnation successful Bali for helping termination her mother, according to the AP.

In January 2024, Mack, who pleaded blameworthy connected June 16, 2023, was sentenced to 26 years successful situation successful Chicago for her relation successful the murder.

In this March 12, 2015, record photo, Heather Mack, left, and her fellow Tommy Schaefer, some from Chicago, Ill., participate the courtroom anterior to the commencement of their proceedings proceeding astatine the territory tribunal successful Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. (Firdia Lisnawati, File/AP Photo)

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"Heather Mack planned to violently execution her ain parent portion connected abrogation successful Bali," then-Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said successful a 2024 statement. "In Bali, Mack stood by portion her parent was savagely beaten to decease and past callously and unsuccessfully tried to dispose of her mother’s body. This important condemnation holds the suspect to relationship for this heinous crime."

On Tuesday, April 21, 2015, Heather Mack, of Chicago, Ill., center, is mobbed by reporters arsenic helium arrives successful the courtroom for her sentencing proceeding astatine a territory tribunal successful Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia.  (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati, File)

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It is unclear who volition correspond Schaefer successful his U.S. case, arsenic his erstwhile attorney, listed successful tribunal records arsenic Thomas Durkin, died past year, the AP reported. Schaefer is reportedly expected to marque his archetypal tribunal quality successful Chicago connected Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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