Authorities say the suspect, identified as Mabuoc Maror Mangok, reportedly quarrelled with his father before striking him several times on the head and neck with a stick on Tuesday. The father later succumbed to the injuries.
Deputy Director for Investigation at Malei Payam, Thiik Agoth, confirmed the incident, describing it as deeply disturbing.
“The suspect struck his father on the head and neck and fled the scene. We were notified of the matter and have since launched a manhunt,” Agoth told this outlet.
He said the motive behind the killing remains unclear, although investigators are probing several possible causes. “We are urging relatives of the suspect and community members to cooperate with police so that the suspect can be apprehended,” Agoth added.
The killing has once again drawn attention to the rising number of violent crimes within families in Gogrial East. Over the past few years, Warrap State—particularly Gogrial East—has witnessed a string of domestic and revenge-related killings. In 2023, a young man in the county reportedly killed his uncle following a land dispute, while another incident in early 2024 involved a brother fatally attacking his sibling over cattle ownership disagreements.
Local leaders and analysts say these tragedies highlight deeper social and economic struggles. Many families in rural Warrap depend on cattle and subsistence farming, often making disputes over livestock, land, and inheritance escalate into violence. Some observers also point to widespread economic hardship, weak rule of law, and limited awareness of peaceful dispute resolution as contributing factors.
Cases of people killing their own relatives have become distressingly common, raising concerns about the erosion of community cohesion. Community elders have repeatedly called on authorities to strengthen traditional conflict mediation practices and improve public awareness on the importance of resolving disputes through legal and peaceful means.
As the search for Mabuoc Maror continues, residents in Gogrial East say the latest case underscores the urgent need for stronger law enforcement and more robust community education to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
