JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An American man, Tommy Schaefer, has been freed and deported after spending 11 years in prison for the premeditated murder of his then-girlfriend’s mother in Bali, Indonesia. Shown to be involved in a notorious case dubbed the "Bali suitcase murder," Schaefer had been sentenced to 18 years for the crime committed in August 2014.

Sheila von Wiese-Mack, the victim and a 62-year-old affluent socialite from Chicago, was found brutally murdered in the trunk of a taxi parked at the luxury St. Regis Bali Resort. The aftermath of the crime shocked both local and international communities, drawing significant media attention.

At the time of the murder, Schaefer was 21 years old, while his girlfriend Heather Mack was 18 and pregnant. Shortly after the discovery of von Wiese-Mack's body, both Schaefer and Mack were arrested on the island. Following their trials, Mack received a sentence of 10 years in prison, of which she served seven years before her deportation in October 2021.

In a significant turn of events, Mack was later sentenced to 26 years in prison in January 2024 after pleading guilty to her role in her mother’s murder and the subsequent concealment of the body in a suitcase. This complex case has continued to unfold over the years, revealing deep family tensions and tragic circumstances surrounding the crime.

After receiving a series of remissions for good behavior, Schaefer was released and deported back to the United States from Bali International Airport on Tuesday evening. Felucia Sengky Ratna, head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, confirmed the details in a statement.

This case remains a poignant example of the dark realities of familial strife and the often-unforeseen consequences of tragic decisions. The repercussions of the murder extend beyond the immediate implications for Schaefer and Mack, affecting both families and the wider public who followed the sensational trial.