Horror In Bali: 62-Year-Old American Woman Found Stuffed Into Suitcase

Sheila von Weise-Mack, an American woman and widow of popular conductor Jame’s Mack, was found dead, stuffed into a suitcase in the trunk of a taxi in Bali. The victim’s daughter, Lois Heather Mack and Lois’ boyfriend Tommy Schaefer have been taken into custody, refusing to comment until accompanied by their lawyers.

According to reports by the Independent, a taxi arrived at the St. Regis hotel in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, expecting to pick up Sheila Mack. Instead, Sheila’s daughter Heather and her boyfriend Thomas came down carrying several pieces of luggage. The two refused any help from the hotel staff as they loaded the bags into the taxi.

Then they went back into the hotel and did not return.

After waiting a valiant two hours for the American woman or her daughter to come down, the driver went to the hotel staff.

They proceeded to investigate the American family’s room, only to find it empty. The taxi driver then proceeded to the local Bali police station, at which point the horrifying discovery was made.

He had already picked up his passenger, but the 62-year-old woman had been murdered, wrapped in a bed sheet, duct taped and stuffed into a suitcase. She had a severe head wound, according to police.

Tommy and Lois Heather were the lead suspects; not only did they load the luggage into the taxi, CCTV cameras caught Tommy and Sheila Mack having a fight the night before the discovery.

Despite the two-hour head start, the young American couple were not difficult to find. The couple was sleeping in another Bali hotel about 6 miles away. They initially told police that had been captive by gang members, but they escaped.

They have refused to comment further until they have spoken to their lawyers.

Sheila von-Weiss Mack and her daughter had been staying on the resort island of Bali for several weeks. A vacation made possible by Mrs. Mack’s Starwood travel points. Tommy Schaefer joined the American woman and her daughter on Monday.

People close to the family thought there was something odd about young Lois Heather. According to ABC News, a family member who did not want to be identified said, “[He] sensed Heather was going to be a troubled little girl.”

There is no further information yet for this horrific case of an American woman murdered in Bali.

[Image Credit: Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP/Getty Images]