GIANYAR, DEWATA.NEWS – A New Zealand national was found dead inside a guest house room in Ubud, Gianyar Regency, on Sunday (March 8) morning, according to local police.
The victim, identified by the initials LMC (67), was discovered at a guest house on Jalan Raya Sri Wedari in Ubud at around 10:30 WITA.
Police said the body was first found by a guest house employee who had come to clean the room earlier that morning.
According to Ubud Police Chief Kompol I Wayan Putra Antara, the staff member, identified as Ni Ketut Ayu Arinandini (51), initially knocked on the door several times at around 10:00 WITA but received no response.
“The witness then looked through a window gap and saw the victim’s feet not moving,” Antara said.
The employee then tried to open the door, which was unlocked. Upon entering the room, the victim was found lying motionless with the body already stiff and showing signs of decomposition.
Guest house staff immediately reported the incident to the local neighborhood authority, who then informed the community police officer and Ubud Police.
Officers led by AKP I Wayan Sukarta secured the scene and installed a police line while conducting an initial investigation.
A preliminary external examination by a doctor from Nusa Medical Clinic Ubud found no signs of physical violence caused by sharp or blunt objects.
However, medical personnel observed advanced decomposition, including the presence of fly larvae on the victim’s forehead. Based on these findings, the victim is believed to have died approximately 72 hours before being discovered.
“The preliminary suspicion is that the victim died due to cardiac arrest,” Antara said.
The assumption is supported by the discovery of several medications and supplements in the room, along with medical records indicating the victim had a history of liver, kidney, and intestinal health problems.
Police also secured several personal belongings belonging to the victim at the scene, including three mobile phones, two MacBook laptops, a black box containing a crypto keep key device, a passport, a KITAS residency permit, and vehicle documents registered under another person’s name.
Authorities said the victim had been living in Ubud for a long time. Records from the guest house indicate that he had stayed in Bali since 1998 and rented the room on a monthly basis.
Police also noted that the victim possessed an Indonesian identity card valid until 2030.
The body was later evacuated by an ambulance from the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) in Gianyar and transported to Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar for temporary storage.
Police have contacted the victim’s family in New Zealand. Family members are expected to arrive in Bali on Tuesday or Wednesday to arrange the repatriation process.