Bali police have opened an active criminal and forensic inquiry and will carry out further examinations after an Australian man and his two children were discovered dead in a bungalow in Kuta. Investigators said the discovery has prompted both forensic work and broader criminal inquiries as officers attempt to establish how the three died.
Authorities identified the victims as Damien John Shaw, 56, and his son, aged six, and daughter, aged four. Police said the children's mother was not in Bali when the deaths were discovered; she became alarmed during a telephone call with her husband after she heard a child crying and then lost contact. Neighbours, joined by other local residents, forced entry to the bungalow when knocking produced no response and found the three deceased inside.
Australian media reported police were treating the deaths as a suspected murder-suicide, but local investigators said they have not yet determined the cause or manner of death. The police statement said further examinations will be carried out to establish the facts and clarify how the victims died, and that inquiries will continue as forensic results are obtained.
Police records show Shaw was originally from Fremantle in Western Australia. Roger Cook, the state's premier, described the news as a "very confronting situation." He added, "This is a very sad situation; our hearts go out to everyone involved. We hope we can get to the bottom of what's gone on as soon as possible."
Investigators have released limited detail so far, and relatives and the local community are awaiting confirmation of the cause of death as authorities proceed with examinations and the wider inquiry into the circumstances that led to the deaths. Officials said the findings from forensic tests will be central to deciding the next investigative steps.
