GIANYAR, DEWATA.NEWS – A 35-year-old French national, identified by initials GSGB, was found dead at the bottom of a 30-meter ravine behind a villa in Ubud on Tuesday evening (April 28), after being reported missing for two days.
The incident began on Sunday (April 26) at around 11:00 PM WITA, when the victim left the villa where he had been staying with friends, saying he was heading alone to a nearby bar. His companions initially assumed he had used an online transport service and did not suspect anything unusual.
Concern grew the following day when the victim failed to return and could not be contacted. Friends conducted their own search efforts, including using a drone around the villa area, but found no trace of him until Tuesday afternoon.
At approximately 5:00 PM WITA on Tuesday, two individuals assisting in the search explored a ravine west of the villa. They noticed a strong odor, which led them to discover the victim’s body lying face down among rocks in a riverbed below.
Ubud Police Chief I Wayan Putra Antara confirmed the discovery and said evacuation teams were immediately deployed, involving local police and the Gianyar Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).
“The evacuation was challenging due to the steep terrain. The body was successfully lifted at around 9:05 PM WITA and transported to the hospital,” he said.
A preliminary external examination by medical personnel estimated the victim had died approximately 72 to 96 hours before being found. The body showed signs of decomposition, swelling, and skin damage consistent with prolonged exposure to water.
Initial findings suggest the victim likely fell into the ravine, which is about 30 meters deep. Authorities stated that no signs of physical violence indicating a criminal act have been identified at this stage.
Police investigators from the Ubud Criminal Investigation Unit are continuing to examine the case to determine the exact circumstances of the fall. The body has been transferred to Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar while authorities coordinate with the victim’s family in France.
For international visitors, the incident highlights the importance of awareness when navigating unfamiliar terrain, particularly in areas with steep landscapes common in parts of Ubud.