US Woman Pleads Guilty to Murdering Mother in Bali to Gain Trust Fund Access

Heather Mack, a woman accused of murdering her mother in Bali, has altered her plea to guilty during a federal court hearing in Chicago. The shocking development came as Mack admitted to plotting the murder in order to gain access to a $1.5 million trust fund.

Mack, who was just 18 years old and pregnant at the time of the crime, stands accused of covering her mother’s mouth while her lover struck her with a fruit bowl. The grisly details of the murder have captivated international attention, with photographs of a suitcase allegedly used to conceal the victim’s body drawing particular interest in the case.

During the hearing, Mack remained composed and affirmed her understanding of the plea agreement. As part of the agreement, two additional charges against Mack will be dismissed. Her boyfriend, Tommy Schaefer, who is currently serving an 18-year sentence in Indonesia, is also implicated in the same indictment.

Relatives of the victim expressed a sense of satisfaction upon hearing Mack’s admission of guilt. They vowed to continue advocating for justice throughout the sentencing process, hoping for a resolution that reflects the severity of the crime committed.

The confession agreement specifies a maximum sentence of 28 years, although the judge holds discretion in determining the final verdict. The sentencing date has been set for December 18, and it remains undecided whether Mack’s time served in an Indonesian prison, where she spent seven years of a 10-year sentence before being deported in 2021 and apprehended in the United States in 2022, will be deducted from her US sentence.