GIANYAR, DEWATA.NEWS – A joint team from Bali Police and Gianyar Police is investigating the discovery of human body parts at the Wos River estuary in Ketewel Village, Sukawati District, amid efforts to determine the victim’s identity.
The remains were found on Thursday morning (February 26) by visitors near Ketewel Beach, specifically in the Banjar Keden area of Ketewel Village. Authorities have since launched a forensic investigation, including DNA testing, to match the body parts with reported missing persons cases.
Bali Police spokesperson, Senior Commissioner Ariasandi, confirmed that a crime scene investigation was conducted under the supervision of the Director of General Criminal Investigation of Bali Police.
“The crime scene investigation has been carried out, led by the Director of Criminal Investigation. The Inafis team and the DVI unit from Bali Police Medical and Health Division are identifying the body parts found at the location,” Ariasandi said on Friday (February 27).
The body parts have been transported to Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar for autopsy and forensic examination. DNA samples are being collected by the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team and Bali Police forensic laboratory to be compared with DNA samples from individuals reported missing.
“We are still conducting an investigation to determine the victim’s identity and origin, including checking witness statements at the scene and reviewing CCTV footage around the discovery site,” he said.
Police confirmed that DNA comparison also includes a 28-year-old Ukrainian national identified by initials IK, who was recently reported missing in an alleged abduction case.
“That is included. The team is coordinating with the family to obtain DNA samples, which will be compared with the body parts to determine whether there is a match,” Ariasandi stated.
Regarding speculation about similarities between tattoos on the recovered body parts and those of the missing Ukrainian national, Ariasandi emphasized that such indications must be verified scientifically.
“There are such assumptions, but we must rely on scientific investigation to confirm them. The body is in a state of decomposition. Any tattoos or physical characteristics will be synchronized with data from missing persons reports before we can confirm,” he explained.
Police are also examining whether the remains were disposed of in a river or at sea. The body parts were found at the river estuary and may have been carried by currents. Officers are tracing the possible location where the victim may have been killed and where the remains were initially discarded.
Authorities described the dismemberment as rough. Most body parts have been recovered, but searches are ongoing for both hands, parts of the arms, portions of the chest, and thighs. The search operation is being conducted along the coastline.
Separately, in connection with the missing Ukrainian national, police have questioned 10 witnesses, including the individual who reported the case, a friend of the missing person. The report was filed at South Kuta Police Station.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the identity of the victim and determine the circumstances surrounding the case.