January 6, 2016. A crowded cafe in Jakarta. A sip of iced coffee. Minutes later, a 27-year-old woman named Wayan Mirna Salihin is dead. Honestly, the "cyanide coffee" case feels like a fever dream that Indonesia never quite woke up from, and thanks to the Netflix hit Ice Cold: Murder, Coffee and Jessica Wongso, the rest of the world is now just as obsessed as we were a decade ago.
You've probably seen the headlines. You've definitely seen the "smiling killer" memes. But behind the sensationalism, there is a messy, complicated legal reality that isn't as black and white as a true-crime documentary might make it seem.
The Day at Olivier Cafe
It was supposed to be a simple reunion. Jessica Wongso arrived at Olivier Cafe in the Grand Indonesia mall early. Way early. She ordered a Vietnamese iced coffee for Mirna and two cocktails for herself and another friend. When Mirna finally arrived and took a sip, she reportedly said, "It’s awful. It’s so bad."
Then things turned dark.
Mirna collapsed. She started convulsing. By the time she reached the hospital, she was gone. The autopsy—or what passed for one—eventually pointed to cyanide. The lethal dose? Approximately $298\text{ mg}$ was found in the coffee, far exceeding the $171\text{ mg}$ considered fatal for an adult.
The police immediately looked at Jessica. Why? Because she was the only one with the coffee for 51 minutes before Mirna arrived. Because she placed shopping bags on the table in a way that blocked the CCTV's view of the drinks. Because, according to prosecutors, she was "meticulous."
Why the Evidence Still Divides Everyone
The trial was a marathon. 135 days of live-televised drama that replaced soap operas for millions of Indonesians. It was "kinda" the OJ Simpson trial of Southeast Asia.
The prosecution’s case was built almost entirely on circumstantial evidence. No one saw Jessica pour anything. No cyanide was found on her person or in her home. Even the "missing" pants she wore that day became a symbol of the mystery—she claimed they were torn and thrown away; the police claimed she was hiding evidence.
The Problem With the Science
This is where it gets technical. Several experts, including Australian forensic pathologist Beng Beng Ong, testified that the evidence for cyanide poisoning was actually quite weak.
- Mirna’s stomach was only sampled days after her death.
- The small amount of cyanide found could have been a post-mortem byproduct.
- She didn't show the "cherry-red" skin typical of cyanide victims; witnesses said she turned blue.
Despite this, the judges weren't swayed. They focused on Jessica's behavior—her "calmness," her lack of tears, and the supposed motive of revenge over a relationship dispute in Australia. In October 2016, she was sentenced to 20 years.
Life After the Documentary
When Ice Cold: Murder, Coffee and Jessica Wongso dropped on Netflix, it blew the lid off the case again. Suddenly, everyone was a digital detective. The documentary highlighted the flaws in the Indonesian justice system and the aggressive personality of Mirna’s father, Edi Darmawan Salihin.
People started questioning if Jessica was a cold-blooded killer or just a victim of a system that needed a scapegoat. The public sentiment shifted dramatically. It wasn't just about the murder anymore; it was about whether "reasonable doubt" even exists in Indonesian courts.
Where is Jessica Wongso Now?
If you haven't been following the news lately, here is the big update: Jessica Wongso is out of prison.
On August 18, 2024, after serving about eight years of her 20-year sentence, she was released on parole. She received 58 months of remission for good behavior. Even though she's free, she’s not "cleared." She remains under supervision until 2032 and has to report to authorities regularly.
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Honestly, she hasn't stayed quiet. Jessica has been doing interviews, maintaining her innocence, and even filing a Judicial Review (PK) to officially overturn her conviction. In late 2024, she even walked out of one of her own hearings in protest because the prosecutor tried to bring in experts she felt shouldn't be there. She's fighting. Hard.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that the "missing CCTV footage" shown in the Netflix documentary is a smoking gun that proves she's innocent. It's more complicated. While the documentary shows Edi Darmawan Salihin pulling out a "new" video on his phone, legal experts point out that this doesn't necessarily negate the other 50+ minutes of behavior the judges used to convict her.
Also, many think she's free to go back to Australia. Nope. As part of her parole, she’s basically stuck in Indonesia for the next several years.
Actionable Insights for True Crime Fans
If you're still digging into the Ice Cold murder coffee and Jessica Wongso rabbit hole, here is how to look at the case like a pro:
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- Analyze the "Causality" Doctrine: Research how Indonesian law treats "circumstantial evidence." Unlike in some Western systems, Indonesian judges have significant leeway to use "logic and conviction" to bridge gaps in physical evidence.
- Look Beyond the Netflix Edit: Watch the original trial footage (much of it is on YouTube). Documentaries are edited for narrative; the actual 135-day trial has much more "boring" but vital forensic testimony that provides context for the judge's decision.
- Follow the PK Progress: Jessica's legal team is currently pushing for a "Judicial Review." This is her last real chance to have her name legally cleared. Watch the Indonesian Supreme Court filings for updates on this throughout 2025 and 2026.
The case of the cyanide coffee is a reminder that the truth is often buried under layers of media frenzy, grieving families, and legal technicalities. Whether she did it or not, the "ice cold" legacy of that afternoon in Jakarta isn't going away anytime soon.