Autopsy of communication messages in intimate partner femicide case: Examining emotional language and the mental health of the perpetrator

Background/Aim: Intimate partner femicide (IPF) is a tragic phenomenon rooted in cultural, social and psychological contexts. This study aimed to identify the emotional language patterns and mental health conditions of the perpetrators in the murder case of Ayu Indraswari, who was mutilated by Heru in 2023. Critical discourse analysis with a linguistic approach was used to examine the communication messages between the perpetrator and the victim. Methods: This study used a qualitative approach with critical discourse analysis and content analysis methods to understand the emotional language patterns and mental states of the perpetrators. The main data was obtained from communication messages between perpetrators and victims collected through police documents and investigations. Results: The results of the analysis showed that the language used by the perpetrator showed signs of psychological distress characterised by intense emotional manipulation and the use of language that reflected control and domination over the victim. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between emotional communication patterns and mental states in the context of IPF, highlighting the importance of early detection of risk factors in communication between couples and the development of strategies to prevent violence in intimate relationships.