DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – An Australian national was found dead inside a guesthouse room in East Denpasar on Wednesday afternoon (May 6, 2026), according to local police.
The victim was identified as 77-year-old Kennet Leslie Sternes.
East Denpasar Police Chief Commissioner I Ketut Tomiyasa said the body was discovered after guesthouse staff became concerned when the guest failed to respond past check-out time.
“The victim was found inside the room after staff conducted a check because the guest had not responded since check-out time,” Tomiyasa said on Thursday (May 7).
According to police, staff first approached the room at around 13:00 WITA to remind the guest about check-out procedures. However, there was no response from inside the room.
After several additional attempts to contact the guest without success, staff eventually called a locksmith at around 15:00 WITA to open the room.
Once the door was opened, the victim was found lying on the floor inside the room.
Medical personnel were later called to examine the victim, who was declared dead at the scene.
Police stated that an initial crime scene investigation found no signs of violence or physical injury on the body.
“Preliminary examination found no indication of violence. The initial assumption is that the victim died due to illness,” Tomiyasa explained.
Authorities also discovered several personal belongings inside the room, including two mobile phones, a wallet, passport, identification documents, medication, and insulin.
Police investigators additionally found signs of recent medical injections on the victim’s wrist, along with a catheter still attached.
Based on preliminary examination results, police estimate the victim had died approximately six hours before being discovered.
The body was later transferred to Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar for further handling.
Authorities have also coordinated with the Australian consulate to notify the victim’s family regarding the incident.