tourist killed in bali

• Updated Terms of Use
• New Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices
• Closed Caption Policy
• Accessibility Statement

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions . Legal Statement . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper .

Bodies of Chinese couple found naked and bloddy in Bali hotel, Indonesian police say

Indonesian police suspect that the chinese boyfriend drowned the woman in a bathtub following a series of arguments.

Fox News Flash top headlines for May 16

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Indonesian police investigating the deaths of a Chinese couple whose bodies were found bloodied and naked at a hotel in the resort island of Bali said Wednesday that the boyfriend killed the woman before killing himself.

Police also said that the crime scene investigation and surveillance cameras from three hotels in Bali where the two stayed suggested that Cheng Jianan, 22, was tortured and drowned in a bathtub by her 25-year-old boyfriend, Lhi Chiming, following a series of arguments and fights.

Their naked bodies were found at the InterContinental hotel on May 1, with Cheng badly beaten in the bathroom with a neck wound.

TEENS ATTACK FRENCH TOURIST, 71, STROLLING IN NYC, NO ARRESTS MADE: 'IN PARIS, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THEM'

Evidence collected from the hotel where two Chinese tourists were found dead are displayed during a police press conference in Bali, Indonesia, on May 17, 2023.  (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

"No traces of anyone else in the room apart from them, such as fingerprints, blood and DNA," said Bambang Yugo Pamungkas, the police chief for Denpasar, Bali’s capital.

He said the couple arrived in Bali on April 27 for the second visit after their first trip in March. They changed hotels a day after Cheng reported to police that Lhi had lost his passport, Pamungkas said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

A staff at Mansion Hotel told police that she saw Lhi's hand was bleeding and wrapped with a towel, and that he told her that he was in a fight with his girlfriend.

Pamungkas said that police were still investigating a motive for the deaths.

Bali is one of the top destinations for Chinese tourists after a three-year pandemic-related hiatus.

Antisemitism Exposed

Fox News' Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world."

By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use , and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Newsletters
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides
• Labor Day sales

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Indonesian police suspect Chinese tourist tortured, killed girlfriend before taking own life

Indonesia china tourists killed.

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian police investigating the deaths of a Chinese couple whose bodies were found bloodied and naked at a hotel in the resort island of Bali said Wednesday that the boyfriend killed the woman before killing himself.

Police also said that the crime scene investigation and surveillance cameras from three hotels in Bali where the two stayed suggested that Cheng Jianan, 22, was tortured and drowned in a bathtub by her 25-year-old boyfriend, Lhi Chiming, following a series of arguments and fights.

Their naked bodies were found at the InterContinental hotel on May 1, with Cheng badly beaten in the bathroom with a neck wound.

“No traces of anyone else in the room apart from them, such as fingerprints, blood and DNA,” said Bambang Yugo Pamungkas, the police chief for Denpasar, Bali’s capital.

He said the couple arrived in Bali on April 27 for the second visit after their first trip in March. They changed hotels a day after Cheng reported to police that Lhi had lost his passport, Pamungkas said.

A staff at Mansion Hotel told police that she saw Lhi's hand was bleeding and wrapped with a towel, and that he told her that he was in a fight with his girlfriend.

Pamungkas said that police were still investigating a motive for the deaths.

Bali is one of the top destinations for Chinese tourists after a three-year pandemic-related hiatus.

Recommended Stories

Ricky pearsall, 49ers' first-round pick, in stable condition after shooting in san francisco robbery attempt.

Pearsall is reportedly in stable condition.

Chicago Sky's Diamond DeShields responds to toxic fan after hard foul on Caitlin Clark

An incident involving Cailtin Clark and the Sky got ugly. Again.

South Carolina basketball star Ashlyn Watkins reportedly arrested on assault, kidnapping charges

Watkins averaged 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds last season while helping the Gamecocks to a national championship.

Novak Djokovic crashes out of US Open 1 day after Carlos Alcaraz stunner

This is the first year Djokovic didn't win a Grand Slam since 2017.

Your iPhone might not be compatible with iOS 18. Here are the eligible devices

Apple's latest software, including Apple Intelligence features, won't be available for every iPhone user. We'll explain who's getting left out this year.

WWE Bash in Berlin results, grades and analysis: Gunther, Cody Rhodes retain; Rhea Ripley, Damian Priest win

WWE's first premium live event in Germany had a strong card that featured three championship matches and paid off two of the more enthralling storylines in WWE this year.

Final predictions for every AFC team: Jets, Titans, Steelers & more | Football 301

Nate Tice and Charles McDonald join forces to preview every team in the AFC. For each team they discuss win totals, give a player to watch and try to predict why each team could under- or over-perform expectations this season.

Columbus Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau, brother Matthew Gaudreau killed by alleged drunk driver while biking

Gaudreau played 763 NHL games with the Flames and Blue Jackets.

What the gap between retirement expectations and reality tells us

The chasm between how much Americans think they need for retirement and what retirees say they can live on is significant, according to recent surveys.

Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino will miss 6-8 weeks due to broken thumb after disastrous play

Pasquantino and reliever Lucas Erceg were both hurt on the same play Thursday vs. the Astros.

Shohei Ohtani makes MLB history with unprecedented 43-43 season

No player had ever posted 43 home runs and 43 stolen bases in a season before the Dodgers star.

White Sox approaching MLB record for losses draws sympathy from surviving 1962 Mets

As the 2024 Chicago White Sox approach setting a MLB record for losses, the 1962 New York Mets sympathize with their misery.

Quiz: Ben Affleck hits back at dating rumors amid J.Lo divorce, Oasis reunites after 15 years, Burning Man attendees descend on the desert

Test your knowledge about this week's entertainment headlines.

Little League World Series: Florida wins extra-innings championship thriller over Taiwan on chaotic walk-off bunt

The championship is the first for a team from Florida in nine trips to the LLWS final.

Researchers discover potentially catastrophic exploit present in AMD chips for decades

Researchers discovered a potentially catastrophic vulnerability in AMD chips that has been there for decades. It’s called a ‘Sinkclose’ flaw.

Stephen Curry signs one-year, $62.6 million extension to stay with Golden State through 2027: report

Curry is sticking with the Warriors for the 2026-27 season.

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore still not under contract 7 months after promotion: Report

Sherrone Moore will reportedly make his debut as Michigan's full-time head coach without a contract.

Steelers, Raiders, Giants have QB issues while Cowboys need to choose CeeDee or Dak | McCoy & Van Noy

Three-time All-Pro Gerald McCoy and two-time Super Bowl champ Kyle Van Noy join forces for the premiere episode of their new podcast — where two legendary defensive players, one still in the game, and one who recently got out of it — chat about the ins and outs of life in the NFL.

Shohei Ohtani bobblehead night: Dodgers star makes MLB history after catching first pitch from his dog

Dodger fans love Shohei Ohtani — and his dog. They got plenty of both on Wednesday.

Mock Draft Monday: Risers and fallers at QB, RB, WR and TE this month | Yahoo Fantasy Forecast

In the final installment of 'Mock Draft Monday' Yahoo's Dan Titus and Tera Roberts dissect the trends they've noticed in drafts throughout the month of August to get you ready for your most important drafts this week. Titus and Roberts go through the biggest risers and fallers at the QB, RB, WR, and TE position. The two also end the show by answering your mailbag questions.

Man suspected of organized crime ties gunned down in Scarborough

Lilley: german firm taking over go trains promises increased efficiency, parents of riverdale boy accused of animal cruelty ask for compassion, lilley: trudeau clings to 'sunny ways' as canadians turn on pm, alleged drunk driver in death of johnny gaudreau, brother looks dejected after learning he's stuck in jail over the weekend, indonesian police suspect chinese tourist tortured, killed girlfriend before taking own life.

Author of the article:

You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account.

Article content

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian police investigating the deaths of a Chinese couple whose bodies were found bloodied and naked at a hotel in the resort island of Bali said Wednesday that the boyfriend killed the woman before killing himself.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

• Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
• Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
• Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
• Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
• Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account.
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
• Enjoy additional articles per month.
• Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Don't have an account? Create Account

Indonesian police suspect Chinese tourist tortured, killed girlfriend before taking own life Back to video

Police also said that the crime scene investigation and surveillance cameras from three hotels in Bali where the two stayed suggested that Cheng Jianan, 22, was tortured and drowned in a bathtub by her 25-year-old boyfriend, Lhi Chiming, following a series of arguments and fights.

Their naked bodies were found at the InterContinental hotel on May 1, with Cheng badly beaten in the bathroom with a neck wound.

“No traces of anyone else in the room apart from them, such as fingerprints, blood and DNA,” said Bambang Yugo Pamungkas, the police chief for Denpasar, Bali’s capital.

He said the couple arrived in Bali on April 27 for the second visit after their first trip in March. They changed hotels a day after Cheng reported to police that Lhi had lost his passport, Pamungkas said.

A staff at Mansion Hotel told police that she saw Lhi’s hand was bleeding and wrapped with a towel, and that he told her that he was in a fight with his girlfriend.

Pamungkas said that police were still investigating a motive for the deaths.

Bali is one of the top destinations for Chinese tourists after a three-year pandemic-related hiatus.

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here . By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .

You've reached the 20 article limit.

You can manage saved articles in your account.

and save up to 100 articles!

Looks like you've reached your saved article limit!

You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.

• The Star ePaper
• Subscriptions
• Manage Profile
• Change Password
• Manage Logins
• Manage Subscription
• Transaction History
• Manage Billing Info
• Manage For You
• Manage Bookmarks
• Package & Pricing

Two China tourists found dead in Bali hotel; not clear if it is suicide or murder

Friday, 05 May 2023

Related News

Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia calls for support to strengthen bilateral relations and Asean cooperation

Indonesia strives for fast economic growth amid shrinking middle class, indonesia: power consolidation à la jokowi.

Bali is a popular destination for Chinese tourists. - AFP

BALI, May 5 (The Straits Times/ANN): Two Chinese tourists were found dead on Monday at a hotel in Bali, Indonesia, the local Chinese consulate confirmed on Thursday.

They were identified as a 25-year-old woman surnamed Li and a 22-year-old man surnamed Cheng, according to thepaper.cn

Their naked bodies were found at an InterContinental hotel.

Police said their personal belongings were intact in the hotel room.

It is uncertain if the two committed suicide or were murdered, and the authorities are investigating, local reports said.

A hotel staff received a call from a guest who mentioned hearing another guest calling for help in the hallway at around 6.30am on Monday.

Local reports said the male victim was found lying in the hotel corridor. He was covered in blood, with wounds to his neck and left leg.

The woman was found in the bathroom with a neck wound.

The room had been booked by Ms Li. Hotel closed-circuit television footage shows her checking in alone on Sunday evening.

Mr Cheng is said to have arrived at 12.17am on Monday. The two later ordered food, which was delivered to the room at around 1.20am.

Bali is a popular destination for Chinese tourists.

The hotel has so far not made any statement regarding the incident. - The Straits Times/ANN

Tags / Keywords: Indonesia , Two China Tourists , Found Dead , Baluim Question Marks

Found a mistake in this article?

Report it to us.

Thank you for your report!

FRESH NOT FROZEN

Next in aseanplus news.

Trending in AseanPlus

Air pollutant index, highest api readings, select state and location to view the latest api reading.

• Select Location

Source: Department of Environment, Malaysia

Others Also Read

Best viewed on Chrome browsers.

We would love to keep you posted on the latest promotion. Kindly fill the form below

Thank you for downloading.

We hope you enjoy this feature!

The Straits Times

• International
• Print Edition
• news with benefits
• SPH Rewards
• STClassifieds
• Berita Harian
• Hardwarezone
• Shin Min Daily News
• Tamil Murasu
• The Business Times
• The New Paper
• Lianhe Zaobao
• Advertise with us

2 China tourists found dead in Bali hotel; not clear if it is suicide or murder

Two Chinese tourists were found dead on Monday at a hotel in Bali, Indonesia, the local Chinese consulate confirmed on Thursday.

They were identified as a 25-year-old woman surnamed Li and a 22-year-old man surnamed Cheng, according to thepaper.cn

Their naked bodies were found at an InterContinental hotel.

Police said their personal belongings were intact in the hotel room.

It is uncertain if the two committed suicide or were murdered, and the authorities are investigating, local reports said.

A hotel staff received a call from a guest who mentioned hearing another guest calling for help in the hallway at around 6.30am on Monday.

Local reports said the male victim was found lying in the hotel corridor. He was covered in blood, with wounds to his neck and left leg.

The woman was found in the bathroom with a neck wound.

The room had been booked by Ms Li. Hotel closed-circuit television footage shows her checking in alone on Sunday evening.

Mr Cheng is said to have arrived at 12.17am on Monday. The two later ordered food, which was delivered to the room at around 1.20am.

Bali is a popular destination for Chinese tourists.

The hotel has so far not made any statement regarding the incident.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

• Travel and leisure

Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards

Spin the wheel now

Indonesian police suspect Chinese tourist tortured, killed girlfriend before taking own life

The Associated Press

May 17, 2023, 8:43 AM

• Share This:
• share on facebook
• share on threads
• share on linkedin
• share on email

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian police investigating the deaths of a Chinese couple whose bodies were found bloodied and naked at a hotel in the resort island of Bali said Wednesday that the boyfriend killed the woman before killing himself.

Police also said that the crime scene investigation and surveillance cameras from three hotels in Bali where the two stayed suggested that Cheng Jianan, 22, was tortured and drowned in a bathtub by her 25-year-old boyfriend, Lhi Chiming, following a series of arguments and fights.

Their naked bodies were found at the InterContinental hotel on May 1, with Cheng badly beaten in the bathroom with a neck wound.

“No traces of anyone else in the room apart from them, such as fingerprints, blood and DNA,” said Bambang Yugo Pamungkas, the police chief for Denpasar, Bali’s capital.

He said the couple arrived in Bali on April 27 for the second visit after their first trip in March. They changed hotels a day after Cheng reported to police that Lhi had lost his passport, Pamungkas said.

A staff at Mansion Hotel told police that she saw Lhi’s hand was bleeding and wrapped with a towel, and that he told her that he was in a fight with his girlfriend.

Pamungkas said that police were still investigating a motive for the deaths.

Bali is one of the top destinations for Chinese tourists after a three-year pandemic-related hiatus.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Related News

Israel recovers the bodies of 6 hostages in Gaza, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Who were the 6 hostages whose bodies the Israeli military recovered from Gaza?

Philippine authorities detain more than 160 people over suspected cybercrime operation

Recommended.

'Everybody needs to know how great a man he was': High school friend honors fallen DC officer

Loudoun judge arrested for alleged public intoxication in Leesburg

Maryland data center conference gets caught up in power line controversy

Related categories:.

• Central Oregon
• Decision 2024
• Oregon-Northwest
• Crime Stoppers
• KTVZ.COM Polls
• Special Reports
• Ask the Mayor
• Interactive Radar
• Local Forecast
• Road Conditions – Weather Webcams
• Livestream Newscasts
• Livestream Special Coverage
• Local Videos
• Photo Galleries
• 21 Cares For Kids
• Clear The Shelters
• Community Billboard
• Community Conversations
• Community Links
• One Class At a Time
• Pay it Forward
• House & Home
• Entertainment
• Events Calendar
• Pump Patrol
• 2024 Back 2 School Photos
• Show Us Your Garden 2024
• Central Oregon Backyard Living Photo Contest 2024
• Junior Forecaster
• Pet Pics Sweepstakes
• Sunrise Birthdays
• Submit Tips, Pics and Video
• KTVZ Careers
• Central Oregon Careers
• Email Newsletters
• Advertise with NPG of Oregon
• Careers and Internships
• Closed Captioning
• Download Our Apps
• EEO Public Filing
• FCC Public File
• NewsChannel 21 Team
• On-Air Status
• Receiving KTVZ
• TV Listings

Indonesian police suspect Chinese tourist tortured, killed girlfriend before taking own life

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian police investigating the deaths of a Chinese couple whose bodies were found bloodied and naked at a hotel in the resort island of Bali say that the boyfriend killed the woman before killing himself. Police also said that the crime scene investigation and surveillance cameras from three hotels in Bali where the two stayed suggested that the 22-year-woman was tortured and drowned in a bathtub by her 25-year-old boyfriend following a series of arguments and fights. Their naked bodies were found at the InterContinental hotel on May 1, with Cheng badly beaten in the bathroom with a neck wound. Police say they’re still investigating a motive for the deaths.

Jump to comments ↓

Associated Press

Related articles.

3 dead after small plane crashes into row of townhouses in Oregon, TV station reports

Israel recovers the bodies of 6 hostages in Gaza, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Paralympic triathlon events are postponed because of poor water quality in the Seine River

Minority athletes hope their olympic journeys will sway intolerant hearts and minds.

KTVZ NewsChannel 21 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here .

• [email protected]
• +62 81 1195 6020
• Advertise with Us
• Write for Us

Home » 15 Witnesses Questioned Over Mysterious Deaths of 2 Chinese Tourists in Bali

15 Witnesses Questioned Over Mysterious Deaths of 2 Chinese Tourists in Bali

• Anasya Dufana
• 18:00, 9 May 2023

The Bali Police are still investigating the causes of the tragic deaths of two Chinese tourists, Cheng Jianan and Li Chiming, at the Intercontinental Jimbaran Hotel, South Kuta, on Monday, 1st of May 2023. So far, 15 witnesses have been questioned regarding the deaths of the two Chinese tourists. 

The Head of Bali Police Public Relations, Stefanus Satake Bayu Setianto, S.I.K. MSc, explained that the Denpasar Police Criminal Research Unit had questioned 15 witnesses regarding the tragic deaths of the two Chinese tourists. However, Setianto did not specify who the witnesses were or their investigation results. Still, according to the information obtained, the witnesses are mostly the hotel staff and guests who saw and stayed in that five-star hotel on that horrible night.

“Fifteen witnesses have been questioned. We are still investigating the cause of their deaths,” Setianto said during a press conference on Sunday, 7th of May, 2023.

Meanwhile, the autopsy process on the bodies of the two Chinese tourists has been carried out at Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital, Denpasar. However, the post-mortem results regarding the victims’ cause of death cannot be announced just yet. 

As previously reported, all the guests at the Intercontinental Hotel on Jalan Uluwatu Number 16 Jimbaran were shocked by the discovery of two Chinese tourists who died at that five-star hotel. 

The victims were found naked and covered in blood. Initially, the hotel operator received a call from a guest in room number 4228, who informed the staff that they heard a guest screaming for help in the corridor. The duty manager, who was in charge that night, immediately went to the location to check.

The duty manager asked one of the hotel employees to come with a wheelchair to anticipate if a guest who asked for help was injured and needed a wheelchair. When they arrived at the corridor of the victims’ room, they were shocked to find Cheng Jianan lying in front of the room, naked and covered in blood. Furthermore, the duty manager reported this incident to the Chief Security Officer and checked the CCTV to see what happened to the two Chinese tourists. The CCTV recording shows that the victim came out of room 4223 naked and covered in blood; not long after that, he was sprawled on the floor.

Inside room number 4223, Li Chiming was also found dead and naked, lying in the bathtub of that five-star hotel room.

Members of the South Kuta Police and the Denpasar Police Identification Unit went to the location of the incident. They investigated the crime scenes to determine what happened to the two Chinese tourists. As a result, an open wound was found on Cheng Jianan’s neck; under her left chest and left arm, there were blisters all over her body. Meanwhile, on Li Chiming’s neck, there are abrasions suspected to be entanglement marks and bruises on his forehead.

Interested about this topic? Check out our other articles from Social Expat : 

• Mystery Shrouds Deaths of 2 Chinese Nationals in Bali
• Bella Fidler: An Australian Who Dies From Virus After Returning From Bali Girls Trip

Related News

Ex-manager disputes khabib nurmagomedov’s connection with indonesian selebgram.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter, Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently trending because he is allegedly flirting with an Indonesian selebgram named Annette Anastasya Lauda. Upon hearing these allegations, Khabib’s former manager, Ali Abdelaziz, vehemently denied the news. Annette is known to be a celebrity who often shares sexy photos on her personal social media accounts. […]

Excise Tax on Sugary Drinks to Begin in 2025 as Childhood Diabetes Rises in Indonesia

The recent surge in diabetes cases among children in Indonesia, which has gained widespread attention through social media, underscores the urgent need for action. According to the Ministry of Health’s official website and data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the number of people with diabetes in the world in 2021 reached 537 million. This […]

Video Show Tourist’s Suitcase Plunges into the Bali Sea: A Lack of Protection?

Anything can happen on vacation, from delightful surprises to unexpected mishaps. A viral video on TikTok serves as a stark reminder of the latter, showing how an unexpected incident can occur to you and your suitcase while on vacation. The video uploaded by @anniehart__ shows some tourists’ luggage falling into the sea while the ship […]

Government Suggests Remote Work in Jakarta for 5th of September Because of Pope’s Mass at GBK

The government urges workers who work in the Jakarta area to work from home (WFH) on September 5, 2024. The government said two major activities will take place in the Senayan area of Jakarta. The agenda in question is the Great Mass, led by the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, at the GBK […]

Latest News

Saka museum makes time magazine’s 2024 world’s greatest places list—see the best bali museum, where to eat in bali: the best restaurants in canggu 2024, 7 best omakase restaurants in jakarta for your top experience, popular news, president jokowi: indonesia tightens border controls amid monkeypox concerns during iaf 2024, bali’s best menu set: culinary odyssey at jw marriott jakarta’s sailendra restaurant, indonesia launches golden visa program to attract foreign investment and talent.

• 1 month ago

Experience The Revitalized Charm of Pasar Senggol at Grand Hyatt Bali

Lets move indonesia expands services with the launch of global visas.

• 3 months ago

Weekly Promotion Deals at The Best Bars in Jakarta 2024 

Deaths in Bali of 2 Chinese Tourists

More than two weeks of speculation and rumors surrounding the mysterious deaths of two Chinese nationals at the  InterContinental Bali Resort, Jimbaran,  were resolved to some extent at a press conference held at  Denpasar Police Headquarters  on Wednesday, 17 May 2023.

Li Chiming (24, male) and Cheng Jianan (22, female) were found dead inside the hotel on Monday, 01 May 2023.

Speculation that a homicide had taken place was fanned by a brutal crime scene where the naked and bloody bodies of the dead couple were located in a hotel room and adjacent hallway.

At the Wednesday press conference, police finally ruled the deaths a murder-suicide.

As reported by  NusaBali.com,  the  Head of the Denpasar Police Precinct,  Police Commissioner Bambang Yugo Pamungkas, announced that Li Chiming killed Cheng Jianan with heavy blows, binding, and drowning the woman in a bathtub. Li Chiming then took his own life by slashing his throat and inflicting other self-wounds with a broken beer bottle.

Officer Bambang Yudo said the deaths were ruled a murder-suicide based on the examination of the victim’s bodies performed by the  Forensic Laboratory of the Bali Provincial Police.

Police discovered a crime scene where the couple’s naked bodies were covered in blood and surrounded by five empty beer bottles ordered earlier from Hotel Room Service. 

Police said the two people were a couple who arrived in Bali on Thursday, 27 April 2023, after which they checked into a Sanur area hotel. They relocated to  InterContinental Bali Resort, Jimbaran,  on Sunday, 30 April 2023.

The couple planned to stay in Bali on holiday until Tuesday, 02 May 2023.

Following an argument, Cheng Jianan left her male companion and moved to the Jimbaran area hotel. On Monday, 01 May, Li Chiming came to the  InterContinental Bali Resort,  where the two spent time drinking beer.

Police Commissioner Bambang told the press that police had interviewed 31 people about the incident. Police concluded that Li Chiming killed Cheng Jianan, who subsequently took his own life. 

Stay Informed on Bali Tourism-Related News :  Subscribe to Bali Update  

• Email this article
• Print this article

Bali Update Editorial Team

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Victims Describe Their Pain and Prisoners Apologize in Bali Bombing Trial

A Guantánamo military court heard anguishing testimony at the sentencing hearing for two Malaysian prisoners who pleaded guilty after 20 years of detention.

By Carol Rosenberg

Reporting from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba

Relatives of tourists killed in the 2002 terrorist bombing in Bali, Indonesia, spoke of endless, devastating grief, and two prisoners who conspired in the attack renounced violence in the name of Islam on Thursday for a U.S. military jury assembled at Guantánamo Bay to deliberate their sentence.

The prisoners, Mohammed Farik Bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir Bin Lep, both Malaysians, pleaded guilty last week to war crimes charges for conspiring with an affiliate of Al Qaeda that carried out the attack. The bombings killed 202 people from 22 nations.

“No God of any religion rewards such acts of horror,” said Solomon Lamagni-Miller, 18, of London. He was born after his uncle, Nathaniel Dan Miller, 31, was killed in the bombing and read a statement written by the victim’s mother, his grandmother.

Christopher Snodgrass of Glendale, Ariz., said the loss of his daughter, Deborah, 33, in the bombing and other “terrorist activities worldwide” left him despising “over 20 percent of the world population, Muslims. I’m a religious person, and the hate-filled person I have become is certainly not what I wanted.”

Echoing the sentiment of several family members, he appealed to the jury to “deal with these murderers in such a manner that they can’t do to others as they’ve done to us.”

For hours this week, fathers, mothers, a brother and three sisters of the victims offered anguished descriptions of searches for missing relatives, of life-altering burns and of the vacuum left by the deaths of young people who had gone on vacation in Bali and never came home.

Two of Mr. Bin Amin’s elder brothers tearfully asked the jury for leniency. Then both defendants renounced their terrorist pasts, apologized to the families and said they were tortured while in the C.I.A.’s secret overseas prison network from 2003 to 2006.

The men were captured in Thailand in June 2003. A U.S. military jury is hearing the case to decide a sentence in the 20- to 25-year range, and cannot grant credit for time served. There is, however, a secondary, secret agreement in which the men could return to Malaysia later this year.

Mr. Bin Amin’s brothers flew in from Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, and sat in the public portion of the spectators’ gallery, where a blue curtain separated relatives of the dead from the United States, Britain and Germany.

The oldest brother, Fadil, 62, an architect who was educated in Birmingham, England, sorrowfully told the court that his mother taught all 10 of her children a peaceful form of Islam. “He somehow got sidetracked” and made bad choices, he said.

In the gallery sat Matthew Arnold, who traveled to Guantánamo from his home in Birmingham and testified that his brother Timothy, 43, was in Bali for a rugby tournament when he was killed “by this atrocity.”

“My family’s lives have been changed completely by the actions of the perpetrators of this crime,” he said. “And I would like the court and Mr. Bin Amin, and Mr. Bin Lep, to be aware of the devastating effects of their actions on so many innocent and decent people.”

Mr. Bin Amin, who hung his head at the defense table throughout the hours of testimony, apologized to the victims, his family and “all Muslims. This is not what I was taught as a child,” he said.

In his two decades of U.S. detention, he said, “I have changed. I am not an angry young man anymore. I am a reformed man. My faith has evolved.”

As part of their plea deal, both men offered secret testimony earlier this week for the future war crimes trial of Encep Nurjaman, a prisoner known as Hambali whom prosecutors portray as a mastermind of terrorist attacks in Indonesia in 2002 and 2003. But both men said in their confessions that they had no firsthand knowledge of Mr. Hambali’s role in the attack.

On Thursday, Mr. Bin Amin went further.

“I didn’t know anything about the Bali bombing until after it happened,” he said, describing his role in the plot as helping some of the perpetrators after the bombing and assisting in money transfers that could be used for other attacks.

He showed drawings he made of himself being tortured, which were recently declassified to show the jury.

Col. George C. Kraehe, the case prosecutor, did not object to the artwork that showed Mr. Bin Amin nude, hooded, shackled in painful positions and at one point held spread-eagle on a plastic tarp by masked guards, with one pouring water into his nose and mouth.

Christine A. Funk, Mr. Bin Amin’s lawyer, said the artwork display was to help the jury “in weighing appropriate punishment.”

Mr. Bin Lep said he did not want the legacy of torture “to define who I am.”

Also, he said, “I forgive the people who tortured me.”

He admitted to his crimes. “I am guilty of my role in the Bali bombing,” he said.

He described himself as “young, immature and stubborn” when he was drawn to Afghanistan in 2000 and 2001 to train with Al Qaeda.

“All I wish for now is peace,” he said. “I wish that peace for everyone here, but especially the victims and their families.”

Carol Rosenberg reports on the wartime prison and court at Guantánamo Bay. She has been covering the topic since the first detainees were brought to the U.S. base in 2002. More about Carol Rosenberg

People are seen at an exit of Bali Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, a famous tourist destination of Indonesia, Nov. 9, 2022. File photo: Xinhua/Xu Qin

Chinese tourists did not waste the opportunity to enjoy their warm bright spring holiday time after three years ...

2 China tourists found dead in Bali hotel; cause of death unclear

• Share on Twitter
• Share on WhatsApp
• E-mail this article
• 0 Engagements

Two Chinese tourists were found dead on Monday at a hotel in Bali, Indonesia, the local Chinese consulate confirmed on Thursday.

They were identified as a 25-year-old woman surnamed Li and a 22-year-old man surnamed Cheng, according to thepaper.cn

Their naked bodies were found at an InterContinental hotel.

Police said their personal belongings were intact in the hotel room.

It is uncertain if the two committed suicide or were murdered, and the authorities are investigating, local reports said.

A hotel staff received a call from a guest who mentioned hearing another guest calling for help in the hallway at around 6.30am on Monday.

Singapore-flagged vessel loaded with drugs caught off Riau

Related stories, chinese badminton player zhang zhijie died of cardiac arrest, chinese badminton player zhang zhijie, 17, dies after collapsing during match, foreigners working in bali without proper visa may be banned.

Local reports said the male victim was found lying in the hotel corridor. He was covered in blood, with wounds to his neck and left leg.

The woman was found in the bathroom with a neck wound.

The room had been booked by Ms Li. Hotel closed-circuit television footage shows her checking in alone on Sunday evening.

Mr Cheng is said to have arrived at 12.17am on Monday. The two later ordered food, which was delivered to the room at around 1.20am.

Bali is a popular destination for Chinese tourists.

The hotel has so far not made any statement regarding the incident.

Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store  or Google Play Store now

• Share on Facebook

Bali’s rafting scene under scrutiny after tourist deaths

Indonesian island’s regulation of rafting is facing criticism after the deaths of five tourists since November 2021.

Bali, Indonesia – On October 3 last year, 64-year-old United States citizen Robinaugh Clifford Neil and nine other foreign tourists set off on two inflatable rafts for a white-water rafting trip down the Ayung River, the longest and holiest river in Bali.

The first half of the trip progressed smoothly. But when the group stopped for a break at a riverside kiosk, the river rose dramatically. A female vendor advised the two rafting guides to abort the trip but the advice was ignored, according to a member of the search party that followed.

Keep reading

Are the risks involved in sea and space tourism too high, malaysia’s tourism recovery flops as thailand, indonesia cash in, tourism dreams and violence woes after tunisia’s djerba attack, india hosts g20 tourism meet in kashmir under heavy security.

Within moments, both rafts flipped over and all 12 people fell into the rapids.

Eventually, the guides and eight out of nine tourists made their way to the river bank, emerging with only minor scrapes and bruises. But Neil never returned. His body was last seen going over a weir without a helmet or lifejacket but was never recovered, despite a weeklong search effort.

Neil is not the only tourist to have lost his life while white-water rafting in Bali.

In November, a tourist from Saudi Arabia was thrown from a raft, hit her head against a rock and drowned while rafting in the Telaga River in east Bali.

In November 2021, three Indonesian tourists, including two children who had just completed a rafting trip on the Ayung River, perished after rain triggered a landslide on a steep jungle path between the river and the road.

Repeated warnings

In the view of some experts familiar with Bali’s rafting scene, all five deaths, instead of simply being tragic accidents caused by unpredictable weather events, can be traced to the government’s failure to regulate the industry as well as a culture of lax safety standards.

Nigel Mason, who pioneered white-water rafting in Bali in the 1980s, said he made repeated failed attempts to convince local officials to introduce the kind of standard operating procedures that exist in Australia and other developed nations over fear that lives would be lost otherwise.

“The American tourist died on what we call a ‘red-river’ day,” Mason, who runs Mason Adventure Rafting, told Al Jazeera.

“We have three classifications for the river. The first is green. When the river gets to yellow, we ban anyone over 50 and children from rafting and warn everyone else about the challenge involved. Once it turns red from too much rain in the mountains, we cancel our trips. The water in the river can rise six metres in an hour; it’s extremely dangerous inside there. But some companies just keep going because they don’t want to lose money.”

Cok Ace, the deputy governor of Bali who previously owned a share in a white-water rafting company Sobek, substantiated some of Mason’s comments.

“I used to take my family quite often but not in the rainy season,” Ace told Al Jazeera, referring to the period that usually stretches from November to April.

“Because if the Ayung River is flooded, it’s dangerous.”

The fact that Neil’s body was seen floating in the river without a lifejacket or helmet suggests his safety equipment was faulty or not properly fitted by his guides, Mason said, pointing out poorly-constructed access trails to the river as another safety risk.

“If you go on our tour, you’ll notice we have concrete staircases complete with handrails leading hundreds of metres down to the river. But some of these new companies just cut steps into the soil or lay concrete blocks that can slide away,” he said. “That’s exactly what happened when the three tourists died in a landslide last year.”

Mason said the root cause of all these problems is lax government oversight.

“There are no standard operating procedures specific to rafting like the safety equipment rafts need to carry, the age and condition of lifejackets, working hours for guides, alcohol consumption, the number of rafts allowed on the river at any one time and rescue protocols. All investors need to do is apply for a ‘location’ permit to access the river and that’s good enough to start conducting rafting trips,” he said.

“There are guides on the river who don’t even know how to swim.”

After the death of the Saudi tourist last year, police in east Bali ordered rafting companies to improve their risk-assessment protocols before heading into the water.

“I reminded the rafting operators to increase their vigilance because it’s the rainy season [and] the water discharge has increased. There was a flood and the rafting route should have changed,” local police chief I Gede Made Punia told reporters at the time.

No charges were brought against BMW Rafting, the company that organised the Saudi woman’s trip. Made Agus Kertiana, the company’s owner, told local media the woman’s death was an unavoidable tragedy.

“Disasters and destiny cannot be avoided and we are very saddened by the tragedy that happened yesterday,” Kertiana told Bali Factual News, adding that a 250 million rupee ($16,624) payout made by his insurer was evidence of his responsible management.

Authorities did not bring charges against Ayung Dewata Rafting, the company that organised Neil’s trip. A person who answered a number listed for the company hung up the phone when contacted by Al Jazeera.

Of 14 locally-owned rafting companies and travel agents that sell rafting tours contacted by Al Jazeera, only one agreed to discuss safety in the industry.

Founded in 2016, Arum Jeram Bali takes 100 to 150 tourists rafting on the Ayung River each day. The only injuries their customers ever have suffered are small wounds caused by tourists who did not follow the instructions of their guides, according to the company’s owner Putu, who like many Indonesians goes by only one name.

Putu said that he cancels trips when the river appears “dangerous” because of rain and has built quality concrete staircases leading from the road to the river with handrails when required.

“I think rafting on the Ayung River is quite safe,” he told Al Jazeera.

‘Terrified’

Travellers’ experiences of rafting tours recounted online paint a picture of questionable safety standards across the industry.

On Tripadvisor, dozens of reviews detail negative experiences, including having to navigate staircases to the water with large, slippery and unpaved steps – conditions Al Jazeera observed at two different paths used by rafting companies to access the Ayung River.

In one review on the site, an Australian commenter going by Neen Starmine describes capsizing during a rafting tour in 2017 due to poor directions from her guide.

“He said go right, which should have been left and flipped the boat. My daughter, myself and another teenage girl were trapped under the raft taking water into our lungs. At that stage, I could not find my daughter and was terrified,” she wrote.

“Luckily we got ourselves out and after being swept downstream a bit, dragged ourselves ashore. After a few minutes and a lot of coughing, we were back in the boat. I was so shocked that they would raft in the river with such danger. If I had known, I never would have gone”.

Ibu Pande, secretary at the Gianyar Tourist Office that administers tourism in the Ayung River area, said standard operating procedures (SOP) specific to rafting are part of the licensing process for white-water rafting.

“There are SOP for rafting companies because it’s quite risky,” Pande told Al Jazeera, adding that her office checks “some” of the rafting companies to ensure the SOP are being followed. When asked, Pande declined to name any specific SOPs or produce any document detailing them.

According to Mason, on the day Neil died, Ayung Dewata Rafting, the company that organised his tour, took other tourists out on the river while the search for the American’s body was still under way.

“We don’t have the authority to stop the operation of the company,” Pande said, adding that no review or changes to the SOP were implemented in the wake of the fatal accident. “It’s safe as long as tourists follow the instructions of their guide. But we can’t predict what nature will do,” she said.

An officer at the Gianyar Police Station who led the investigation into the accident said on condition of anonymity that charges have not been laid against Ayung Dewata Rafting’s owners or guides because police are still treating it as a missing person case

“The body hasn’t been found so we don’t know if the tourist died, but he is still missing,” the police officer told Al Jazeera.

Mason, whose staff led the search for Neil until it was abandoned, said there is no doubt that Neil died in the river and warned that more tourists could lose their lives if Bali’s white-water rafting scene is not subject to better regulation.

“There will always be rafting accidents, that’s the nature of the game,” he said. “But if the authorities want to make the industry safe, they need to introduce and enforce SOP. Unless they do that, it can only lead to new disasters.”

The author of this article requested their name be withheld due to fears of retaliation by the Indonesian government.

Charlie Bradley died hours after drinking at a Bali beach bar. His family is now searching for answers

Topic: Poisoning

Beth Bradley says nobody seems to know where her brother Charlie was in the final hours before he died. ( Facebook: Beth Bradley )

The body of a young Sydney real estate agent who died mysteriously in Bali last month will arrive home in Australia on Sunday, where his family hopes an autopsy will finally provide some answers.

Charlie Bradley, 28, died a few hours after drinking at a beach club in Canggu on the evening of Sunday April 16.

He left just after midnight and called a taxi to his villa, but somehow ended up outside a medical clinic around 4am, where he collapsed on the road.

"When I opened the door I could see he was having a seizure," said Yeni Wahyuni, a nurse at the 24-hour Bhaktivedanta clinic.

With no doctor available, the clinic had no choice but to turn Mr Bradley away, but by then he was barely alive.

A local taxi driver and two bystanders took Mr Bradley to Siloam hospital, but it was too late.

"He was already dead," said Dani Siswanto, a local "Gojek" driver who helped put Mr Bradley into the taxi and held his head in his lap as they rushed to the hospital.

"I could tell because he wasn't breathing. There was no movement in his chest."

Piecing together clues from CCTV footage

The ABC has seen CCTV footage of Mr Bradley's collapse from a camera above a bar across the road from the clinic.

It shows him falling on the road, getting up and trying to walk, only to collapse again moments later.

Witnesses told police that shortly before Mr Bradley collapsed they had seen him leaving a restaurant 250 metres from the clinic, shaking uncontrollably and repeatedly falling over on the street.

Charlie Bradley died a few hours after drinking at a beach club in Bali. ( Facebook: Charlie Bradley )

But his sister Beth Bradley says the restaurant checked its CCTV cameras and told her there was no evidence he had been there.

She says nobody seems to know where her brother was in the three hours or more after he left the beach bar until he collapsed, let alone what he had drunk or consumed.

Her family are calling for anyone with information to come forward, particularly one man who they have been told may have footage of Charlie's final moments on his phone.

"No-one has helped to find answers. Everything we know is through myself contacting the people who saw him last and local Aussie business owners over there," she told the ABC.

"Something doesn't seem right.

"It's one thing to be told your brother is dead, but to have no idea why or [be] led to believe people were filming him makes me feel sick."

Mr Bradley's family is desperate to retrace his final moments, and are angry that police have not sought CCTV from the medical clinic or from the bar across the road.

That vision has been supplied by the bar to the family and the Australian consulate, but police said they did not require access to CCTV footage because there is no evidence a crime was committed.

Hundreds of thousands of Australians flock to Bali each year, making up the majority of international tourist numbers. ( ABC News: Phil Hemingway  )

Ms Bradley says she was told that the other bystander who got into the taxi to take her brother to hospital had filmed him in the last minutes before he died.

But when the taxi delivered him to the hospital, the man disappeared.

Police were unable to speak to the bystander, a foreign tourist, but say they are still investigating Mr Bradley's death to establish a timeline of his movements.

"The doctor told us he was brought in by a guy showing a video of Charlie confused and shouting, then he fell down, stood back up and banging his head," Ms Bradley said.

Ms Bradley says friends who were with Charlie at the beach bar have told her no drugs were taken. They were not with him after he left the bar. She says she has never known her brother to take drugs before.

She questions whether her brother may have had his drink spiked with a lethal drug, or unknowingly ingested methanol, a toxic by-product of homemade spirits.

Could a swig of bootleg alcohol have killed Charlie Bradley?

Methanol poisoning usually occurs when homemade alcohol is illegally substituted for vodka and other spirits to boost profits or cut costs.

Experts say victims of methanol poisoning cannot see, smell or taste the substance in their drinks, but within 12 to 24 hours can suffer serious and potentially life-threatening organ damage.

Typically methanol attacks the soft tissues in the body, including the eyes, brain and liver. 

Symptoms of poisoning can include vomiting, chest or abdominal pain, hyperventilation and impaired vision.

As little as 10ml of methanol  — about 2 teaspoons — can cause blindness, and just 30ml — about a mouthful — can cause brain damage, coma or death.

Experts have warned methanol poisoning is a significant risk in Bali, though local authorities do not track cases.  ( Reuters: Johannes P. Christo )

Ms Bradley says her brother only drank spirits, including cocktails — the drinks most likely to be tainted.

North Kuta's Police Chief Made Prama Setya says there is no evidence that Mr Bradley was a victim of methanol poison.

Bali police asked Mr Bradley's family for permission to carry out an autopsy, but the family declined, saying it would have meant months of waiting for his body to be returned to Australia.

Instead the family expects to have an autopsy done in Adelaide, where they live.

Bali's hidden problem

While Mr Bradley's cause of death remains unclear, a number of foreign tourists have died from methanol poisoning on the island in recent years. 

Official estimates are hard to come by — Bali's police chief said he had no data on the number of people who have died or fallen ill from drink poisoning in the area, and the ABC contacted Indonesia's food and drug regulator, but so far has had no response.

Research by the Centre for Indonesian Policy Studies showed that 487 people died in Indonesia from illegal alcohol poisoning, from 2013-2016 alone .

It found that heavy taxes and customs tariffs on alcohol had fuelled the production of "counterfeit alcohol and dangerous mixtures to substitute [for] legally traded alcohol". 

"Methanol can be found in moonshine alcohol, if distillers replace ethanol with cheaper methanol to save money and to increase the strength of the product," another report from CIPS states .

"The liquid is poured into bottles of branded alcohol and sold as imported alcohol. This type of counterfeit alcohol is often being consumed by foreign tourists in Bali and Lombok who are unaware of the dangerous contents of their drinks."

Medicins Sans Frontiers (MSF), which monitors outbreaks of suspected methanol poisoning through news reports, publications and personal communications, states that over the past two decades, Indonesia had the highest number of reported incidents of methanol poisoning in the world.

In one of the first Indonesian cases that MSF has recorded, several foreigners were among 25 people who died in Bali in 2009. In 2018, at least  62 people were reported to have died after drinking bootleg liquor in West Java .

The Australian government's Smartraveller advice states that cases of drink poisoning have been reported in both Bali and Lombok , and foreign tourists including Australians have died or become seriously ill.

Experts believe most cases remain undocumented.

Last July, a 38-year old British woman died of methanol poisoning in a Bali hospital, after drinking what she thought was normal alcohol.

The  coroner overseeing an inquest into her death from Manchester found that knowledge of methanol poisoning among tourists in places like Bali was very low , despite an apparent increase in cases and the "catastrophic consequences" of its consumption.

"The inquest heard evidence that there is a growing problem of methanol being passed off as alcohol for human consumption particularly in places such as Bali. Methanol is used rather than ethanol in spirits aimed at the Western market and sold even through apparently reputable suppliers," Coroner Alison Mutch wrote.

After a lull during the pandemic, international tourists have returned to Bali in droves. ( Reuters: Johannes P. Christo )

Perth resident Colin Ahearn has been trying to spread awareness of the risks of methanol poisoning through a Facebook page called Just Don't Drink Spirits in Bali.

He set up the campaign in 2013 after his friends' teenage son, Liam Davies, died from methanol poisoning after drinking at a bar in Lombok , the island next to Bali.

Mr Ahearn, who has no medical qualifications, says he is not convinced Mr Bradley died of methanol poisoning, but warns the problem is rife and that most tourists have no idea of the risk they take when they drink spirits or cocktails.

He also fears that authorities in Bali have deliberately kept a lid on reporting cases of methanol poison or drink contamination.

"In the last 12 months roughly three or four different cases have had to go to hospital, who were in contact with me," he said.

The ABC has not independently verified the accounts of the people who contacted Mr Ahearn about methanol poisoning.

The crowdfunding page dedicated to bringing Charlie Bradley home describes him as "a cherished son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, boyfriend, colleague and mate to so many". ( Facebook: Charlie Bradley )

A police spokesman, Satake Bayu Setianto, rejected the suggestion that authorities under-report methanol poisoning, telling the ABC that police carry out spot-checks on alcoholic drinks at local venues, and that any suspected methanol contamination death would be investigated.

"We will then investigate the crime scene, conduct an autopsy if the family agrees. If the family has any suspicions on his death, then we hope the family would let us do an autopsy so we would know the cause of death," he told the ABC.

"Police collect all evidence in our investigation process. The autopsy result would be able to tell us whether it was poisoning or something else had caused his death.

"If someone dies and foul play is suspected, then it's better to have an autopsy performed on the body ... We can't have final conclusion of the cause of death only based on what the witnesses saw."

The spokesman asked that anyone with information on any methanol poisoning cases in Bali to report it to police.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mysterious Deaths of 2 Chinese Tourists in Bali Raise Alarm

The mysterious deaths of two Chinese tourists at a luxury hotel in Bali, Indonesia, have triggered safety concerns for Chinese tourists traveling to the popular resort island. 

The local Chinese consulate confirmed Thursday that a 22-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were found dead in an InterContinental hotel on Monday, Chinese media reported . Local police are investigating the deaths. 

The woman, surnamed Cheng, was reportedly an undergraduate student from Jiangxi province, who first checked into the hotel on April 30. Li, her boyfriend, who worked for a publisher in Jiangxi province, joined her early in the morning on May 1.

According to local reports , at around 6:45 a.m. on Monday, hotel staff received a call from a guest who had heard cries for help. When staff arrived at the scene, Li was found dead on the corridor balcony, naked and covered in blood. Hotel surveillance footage showed Li crawling in the corridor for more than 20 minutes.

A local forensic expert said that Li had two open wounds on his neck and left leg. Cheng, who booked the room, was found dead in the bathtub of their hotel room with bruises on her body and head, also naked. A deep bruise on her neck indicated that she had been strangled with a rope or other tools, local media reported.

Local police have not yet determined the cause of the deaths. The couple’s belongings were not taken from their room. 

A family member of Cheng told Chinese media that they arrived in Bali on Saturday and are in touch with local police. 

Online, the shocking and mysterious nature of the deaths has left netizens shaken. There are also conflicting reports about the identities of the two people, such as how they met and their backgrounds. 

“This news will make me cancel my trip to Bali, at least for this year. It’s really scary,” a Weibo user commented .

On Friday, the Chinese consul general in the city of Denpasar met with local police to discuss measures to guarantee the safety of Chinese tourists. The local Chinese consulate had issued a safety reminder for Chinese citizens traveling to Bali ahead of the Labor Day holiday. 

Chinese tourists are a major source of income for Bali, which saw its tourism industry hit hard by COVID-19. Chinese tourists began returning to Bali at the beginning of this year after three years of domestic pandemic restrictions. Balinese officials expect Chinese tourists to return to pre-pandemic levels, or a fifth of all visitors, by 2025.

China’s domestic tourism saw a vigorous rebound to pre-pandemic levels during the Labor Day holiday. Overseas travel is recovering slower, however — around 6.27 million tourists went abroad , around 59.2% of 2019 levels. 

In a separate incident in Thailand, a group of burglars smashed into the rented home of three Chinese tourists on May 3, taking away 1 million baht’s ($29,655) worth of jewelry, electronic devices and cash. Local police have arrested two of the five suspects, Chinese media reported .

The latest incidents will worry local authorities in both Indonesia and Thailand, given the importance of Chinese tourists to their economies. Earlier this year, dark rumors about Southeast Asia being unsafe for Chinese tourists spread like wildfire on Chinese social media. 

Correction: An earlier version of this article misnamed the woman “Chen.” Her surname is “Cheng.”

Editor: Vincent Chow.

(Header image: VCG)

• Terms Of Use
• Privacy Policy

Saturday, August 31, 2024 81° Today's Paper

Indonesian police suspect Chinese tourist tortured, killed girlfriend before taking own life

By Associated Press

May 17, 2023

• Share on Facebook
• Share by email

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Evidence collected from the hotel where two Chinese tourists were found dead are displayed during a police press conference in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, Wednesday. Indonesian police investigating the deaths of two Chinese tourists whose bodies were found at a hotel in the resort island of Bali said Wednesday that the boyfriend of the woman killed her before killing himself.

DENPASAR, Indonesia >> Indonesian police investigating the deaths of a Chinese couple whose bodies were found bloodied and naked at a hotel in the resort island of Bali said Wednesday that the boyfriend killed the woman before killing himself.

Police also said that the crime scene investigation and surveillance cameras from three hotels in Bali where the two stayed suggested that Cheng Jianan, 22, was tortured and drowned in a bathtub by her 25-year-old boyfriend, Lhi Chiming, following a series of arguments and fights.

Their naked bodies were found at the InterContinental hotel on May 1, with Cheng badly beaten in the bathroom with a neck wound.

“No traces of anyone else in the room apart from them, such as fingerprints, blood and DNA,” said Bambang Yugo Pamungkas, the police chief for Denpasar, Bali’s capital.

He said the couple arrived in Bali on April 27 for the second visit after their first trip in March. They changed hotels a day after Cheng reported to police that Lhi had lost his passport, Pamungkas said.

A staff at Mansion Hotel told police that she saw Lhi’s hand was bleeding and wrapped with a towel, and that he told her that he was in a fight with his girlfriend.

Pamungkas said that police were still investigating a motive for the deaths.

Bali is one of the top destinations for Chinese tourists after a three-year pandemic-related hiatus.

Subscriber Favorites

4 charged in alleged $1.5m fraud scheme, ex-uh star and waiakea coach alika smith allegedly took money from players’ parents, rainbow wahine rally past smu in volleyball season opener, honolulu council seeks more regulations for electric bicycles, rainbow wahine survive in 5 in season-opening win over smu, more world news.

Russia’s youngest conscripts unexpectedly see combat against Ukraine

After nearly 11 months of war, Gaza faces new threat: Polio

Ukraine’s air force commander dismissed after F-16 crash

U.S. military: 2 civilian Iranian mariners rescued last week

NASA robot probes to gauge melting beneath Antarctica ice shelf

Looking back.

Aug. 28, 2006: William F. Quinn, the state of Hawaii's first governor, dies at age 87

A young Australian man killed when he crashed his motorbike — reportedly at high speed while going around a curve — in Bali was on holiday with his fiancé.

Thomas James Cossins’ betrothed Jasmine Sparreboom has paid tribute to “the love of my life, my soul mate, my fiancé, my best friend” after his death in Buleleng on Friday.

“Thomas, you have shown me real love, real compassion, strength and loyalty,” she wrote on Facebook.

“You shine brighter than anyone I have ever met and I will forever be in your debt.

“You’ve shown me love I never knew existed and I will truly love you for the rest of my life.

“I will never forget you and I will do everything in my power to honour your brilliance.”

Cossins, 30, was riding the sports bike when he lost control going downhill and around a curve on Friday, according to local media, citing police.

“The victim entered a ditch on the left side of the road and was crushed under the motorbike he was riding,” Buleleng police spokesperson Gede Darma Diatmika was quoted as saying.

“The victim suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the Parama Sidhi Singaraja Hospital.”

According to reports, Cossins was seen riding the motorbike at high speed before the crash.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to his family.

Stream free on

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

British tourist almost loses foot after being impaled in moped crash

Share this with

A dream holiday turned into a nightmare after a woman’s foot was impaled in a Bali moped crash.

For many flocking to the Indonesian island of Bali, exploring the lush island on a moped is a must-do – but doing so comes with its risks.

Angel Willows, 28, from Guildford, Surrey, almost lost her foot after crashing her moped in the Indonesian holiday hotspot wearing flip-flops.

The smash left the personal trainer’s bone horrifically exposed and infected after the metal moped side stand impaled her foot.

How the horror unfolded

Angel was riding the moped with her cousin when they hit a pothole.

In a split second, the pair slammed into the concrete road, leaving Angle underneath the weight of the scooter and her cousin on top of her.

The metal bike stand pierced through her left foot and left a deep wound as she didn’t have the protection of shoes.

After an agonising journey to the hospital, her foot was stitched up.

However, Angel claimed her cousin – who is a nurse – had to step in and inform the hospital staff the wound needed washing before the stitches.

She said: ‘I was in shock, I thought I just needed a plaster initially.

‘We went to the closest emergency place and they gave me stitches.

‘It was a bad job.

‘My cousin is a nurse and she was having to give them instructions.

‘When I got to Australia, they told me how bad it was.’

And this is where the grim situation turned even worse.

Angel alleged the stitches were not done properly and her foot continued to bleed heavily – before it began turning yellow.

She said: ‘It just didn’t stop bleeding after they stitched it up – I had to have my foot just over a bucket whilst it filled up with blood.

‘It was turning a horrible colour.’

She then had it redressed by a chemist before her cousin suggested she should get the injuries seen by a doctor back in Australia where they still had days left on their visa after travelling there for 10 months.

Three days after the accident, Angel landed back in Sydney which is located 2,883 miles away from Bali.

Doctors told her the foot was badly infected and that she was ‘lucky that I got there when I did,’ adding that she could have lost it due to poor stitches.

She underwent three wash-out surgeries in a bid to clean the wound while doctors waited to see if it would start to heal.

A month in hospital

But it continued to get worse.

Her skin turned black and yellow, and doctors were forced to remove all the dying skin before removing skin tissue from Angel’s groin in a skin flap surgery.

She explained: ‘So they did the washout three times but as the skin kept dying they told me they’d need to take a chunk from my leg to replace it.

‘They prepared me and said I’d have to look at the open wound and I had to stand under the shower with my bone exposed and wash it out before surgery.

‘It was painful and a bit of a shock but they were injecting me with morphine throughout.

‘Then they marked out where they were going to take the skin from on my groin before putting me to sleep.’

She spent a month in hospital before being discharged to start her recovery in Australia.

After Angel woke up she needed ‘a boot to learn to walk again, which took a couple of months,’ she said.

Now she has vowed to always wear trainers on bikes.

She has dared to ride one since then, but she’s ‘super cautious when riding them now.’

‘If I had trainers on I certainly don’t think it would have been as bad,’ she added.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

MORE : Two more people die from West Nile virus after being bitten by mosquitos

MORE : 111 to offer mental health support to those in crisis for the first time

MORE : Britons treat their own wounds and make slings over fear of hospital waits

Sign Up for News Updates

Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more.

Privacy Policy

Get us in your feed

• Travel Updates

Aussies stuck in Bali fume as Virgin Australia flight to Sydney cancelled at 3am

Virgin Australia passengers were stuck in Bali for two days after their flight was abruptly cancelled at 3am.

Aussie killed in Bali bike crash named

Youtuber cut up dead lover on party island

Iconic tall ship crushed by container vessel

Furious Australian travellers have been stuck in Bali for two days after their Virgin Australia flight home to Sydney was cancelled earlier this week.

Footage showed angry passengers demanding ground staff find them accommodation or another way home after being told their Wednesday night flight had been cancelled at about 3am on Thursday.

The airline notified passengers their new flight would be two days later on Saturday.

“How come you have let us wait until 3 o’clock in the morning with children. This is disgusting,” one mum at the airport said.

It appeared passengers were told staff were trying to find accommodation for them and provided a $200 voucher for the tourists to find their own hotel as an alternative.

“If you can’t do it, how are we going to do it? It’s your responsibility. You need to find it, you need to work it out,” one woman said.

“Heaps of families with kids, where are they going to take their kids in the middle of the night?” a man added.

news.com.au confirmed a recovery flight departed Denpasar at 8.15am on Saturday.

It is understood the earlier Sydney to Denpasar flight on Wednesday was delayed due to strong winds and a crew member also fell sick, leading to the cancellation of the Denpasar to Sydney flight.

“We sincerely apologise and regret the inconvenience caused to guests impacted by the cancellation of flight VA68,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson said.

It is understood in addition to the $200 voucher for accommodation, affected passengers were also offered $30 per day for food.

Flight tracking data from flightradar24.com showed the earlier flight (VA65) from Sydney was diverted to Darwin before it continued on to Bali and landed at about 3am on Thursday.

In the footage, a passenger at the airport was seen demanding to know why they couldn’t get on the Virgin Australia aircraft that had landed. He was told it would be a ferry flight.

A ferry flight is a flight with no passengers for the purpose of returning the aircraft to where it needs to be.

Three videos of passengers clashing with staff have been viewed over 180,000 times on TikTok. Many viewers have condemned the passengers’ behaviour towards staff.

“Oh the poor lady. Not her fault, she’s only doing what has been asked from her. Be kind people,” one comment read with over 700 likes.

“I used to work as a check in agent/ground staff and this video has reminded me why I quit,” said another top comment.

“The ground crew aren’t the reason the flight isn’t going so why the abuse towards her … this is truly so sad,” a third said.

“Well don’t blame the ground crew! They’re trying to know all the information as much as you passengers are. Anger doesn’t solve anything,” wrote someone else.

More Coverage

Many TikTok users said the situation was exactly why people needed travel insurance.

“Instead of getting upset with staff that probably don’t get told much as well, just book accommodation keep all receipts and claim on your travel insurance,” suggested one person.

A former Virgin Australia cabin crew member said: There is no crew base in Bali, if a crew member is sick there is not enough crew to operate a passenger flight on that aircraft flown in … They should of advised passengers though.”

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

An Australian man killed in a horrific high-speed motorbike crash in Bali has been identified.

A YouTube chef has been jailed for life after dismembering his lover and dumping his body while holidaying on a party island in Thailand.

An iconic Australian tall ship has been crushed by a container vessel trying to come into a busy port.

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Fitness & Wellbeing
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance Deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Climate 100
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Wine Offers
• Betting Sites

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

The future of Bali tourism is up in the air as government says it must make changes

Roughly 200,000 foreigners currently live in bali, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts

Get simon calder’s travel email, thanks for signing up to the simon calder’s travel email.

Indonesia has said it will make changes to the island of Bali after an influx of problem tourism.

The government will conduct an audit to reform tourism on the tropical island of Bali to improve tourism quality and preserve local culture and jobs, a senior minister said on Friday.

About 200,000 foreigners currently live in Bali and have created problems such as crime, over-development and competition for employment, Luhut Pandjaitan, senior minister overseeing tourism said on his Instagram page.

“Foreign tourists who bring problem here, such as narcotics, gangs, and other issues, we can deport them from Indonesia, from Bali, and we don’t want them to enter Bali anymore,” he said, speaking in English in a video clip.

Foreign arrivals in Bali have surged since the island reopened after COVID, and videos of misbehaving tourists often go viral, angering local residents and sparking harsh responses from social media users in Indonesia.

Foreign travellers now face a tourist tax of $10 (£7.70) per person before they can enter the popular backpacking destination.

The 150,000 rupiah levy, has been introduced in a bid to preserve the island’s cultural integrity and crack down on a rise in “ unruly behaviour ” from visitors.

Tourists entering from abroad will have to pay the one-time fee electronically prior to or during their visit to Bali . Domestic Indonesian travellers will be exempted from the tax.

Data from Indonesia’s statistics bureau shows that 2.9 million foreign visitors entered the island through Bali airport in the first half of this year, accounting for 65% of Indonesia’s total foreign arrivals by air for the period.

Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno said earlier this month that the government wants to avoid “a situation like Barcelona, where tourists became public enemies,” national news agency Antara reported.

Luhut said the government will also tackle trash problems on the island, improve infrastructure and prevent further over-development.

“We don’t want to see paddy fields become a villa or become a nude club,” he said. “For us, quality is more important than numbers.”

Public nudity is illegal in Indonesia and there are no strip clubs in Bali, although there are nightclubs and discos that feature in-house dancers.

The government will soon announce a policy plan for reforming Bali’s tourism, Luhut said

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

• The Australian Plus benefits
• The Australian app
• Newsletters
• My comments
• Saved stories
• Breaking News

Fiancee’s tearful tribute after Australian man Thomas Cossins killed in high-speed motorbike crash in Bali

An Australian man killed in a horrific high-speed motorbike crash in Bali has been identified.

An Australian man killed in a horrific high-speed motorbike crash in Bali after rounding a curve in one of the island’s northern provinces has been identified.

The man, in his 30s, was riding in the Buleleng regency on Friday when he lost control on a curve in the road, according to local media reports.

He has since been identified as Thomas Cossins, 9 News reports.

Buleleng Police Traffic Unit Chief, AKP Bachtiar Arifin, said the man was dragged along with his vehicle before hitting a roadblock.

He suffered severe head injuries.

Bueleleng Police said the man died in Parama Sidhi Singaraja Hospital despite attempts to revive him.

The crash occurred along the track in Wirabuana Hamlet, in Gitgit Village of the Buleleng regency.

In an emotional post on Facebook, Mr Cossins’s fiancee Jasmine paid tribute to her “soul mate” and “best friend”.

“Thomas, you have shown me real love, real compassion, strength and loyalty,” she wrote, as reported by Sky News Australia.

“You shine brighter than anyone I have ever met and I will forever be in your debt.

“You’ve shown me love I never knew existed and I will truly love you for the rest of my life.

The incident follows another Aussie, Shane Ramsey, suffering severe injuries in a scooter crash just a week ago.

Mr Ramsey, from Perth, and his friends were in Bali for a wedding when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a pole in Seminyak.

The tradie underwent surgery for his injuries - including a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, blood in his lungs and severe brain damage - and was brought back home to Royal Perth Hospital.

But family members of Mr Ramsey turned off his life support earlier this week after being told by doctors he would not regain brain function.

Blake Antrobus covers Queensland courts and crime for NCA NewsWire. He began his career in journalism in 2015, migrating from Sydney's northern beaches to southwest Queensland. He has covered politics, crime, education and general news for newspapers across the state.

GST attack ad targets Dutton in key state

Amid Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s WA visit, Labor claims Opposition Leader Peter Dutton would scuttle a deal costing the state billions.