Bali police probe deaths of Australian man and two children: suspected murder of children, father’s death by hanging

Denpasar police are investigating after three Australians were found dead in a bungalow in Kuta, Bali, on Sunday morning: a 57-year-old man and two children, 7 and 4, who also hold Indonesian citizenship.

Police say the alarm was raised at about 08:30 when the victim’s wife, in Jakarta, phoned a neighbour asking him to check on the family after she could not reach them. The neighbour, 51-year-old Nur Khamid, inspected the property but saw no activity through a window.

Khamid returned with the bungalow owner and contacted the neighbourhood head (Kelian Lingkungan). Neighbours “knocked and pounded” on the door; it was forced open and the three bodies were found.

From an initial external examination, police stated that the two children are suspected to have died as a result of acts of violence, while the father is suspected to have died by hanging. The bodies have been taken to Prof Dr IGNG Ngoerah Central general hospital for further examination and handling.

Senior commissioner Leonardo D Simatupang, Denpasar police chief, said Kuta investigators are processing the crime scene, reviewing CCTV and questioning witnesses, including the victim’s wife. He added that Kuta police had reviewed CCTV and coordinated with the Australian consulate.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the family and offered condolences, adding it could not provide further comment due to privacy obligations.

Police described the findings as preliminary and said inquiries, forensic checks and witness interviews are ongoing.