From grim cannibal who ate three bodies to social media star, the man known as Sumanto spent just three years in prison for his horrific crimes but is now a social media star
A cannibal who was found with the freshly-buried corpse of a pensioner in his home has become a social media influencer. Known only as Sumanto, the grim killer was arrested and jailed in 2003 after the corpse was found in his home in Purbalinngga, Central Java, Indonesia.
It quickly emerged that he was attempting to eat her remains, having already eaten the bodies of two other people while working at a sugar cane plantation nearby. Blaming black magic, he said that eating human flesh would give him strong “supernatural powers”.
He was dubbed Indonesia’s version of Hannibal Lecter . . . but only spent three years in prison. Upon his release local media claims he was ostracised, but now nearly 20 years later he is back and has turned himself into a social media influencer with an army of fans.
Going under the name of Sumanto Gereng Reborn on Instagram, he has more than 18,000 followers, and posts a series of daily inspiration quotes and meme-like videos in Indonesian.
The newest video features him completely unironically eating a bowl of some indescribable local delicacy with the comment “perfect with the weather . . . just leave funny comments like me”.
Comments include “I love watching him eat” and “Keep healthy sir, so I can eat deliciously”.
And speaking to local news outlet Beritasatu, the head of the An-Nur Haji Supono Mustajab Foundation, Dr Mulyasari told how the content creation journey started for Sumanto. He said: “Initially in the middle of last year, Sumanto was asked to be a brand ambassador at an event in the Banyumas area. From there, we created a social media account for Sumanto, and it turned out that the public response was good.
“We want to give a different perspective to the public. Sumanto is now better, funnier, kinder, and more humane.
“He even has his own initiative for his content concept. Currently, his account is on Instagram and TikTok, not yet on YouTube. The public response so far has been positive, although there is criticism. However, we will evaluate it.
“People are surprised that Sumanto can make content like that. Starting from eating satay, exercising, to participating in village activities.”
If a grim cannibal like Sumanto can become a social media star, than anyone can. Maybe. Or maybe not . . .
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