Police in Bali are investigating after the bodies of an Australian man and his two young children were discovered in a bungalow in Kuta on Sunday. Damien John Shaw, 56, and his children, a boy aged six and a girl aged four, were found inside the property. The man's wife, who was not in Bali, had raised concerns after a phone call.
What happened in the Kuta bungalow?
Neighbours forced entry into the property after receiving a request from the man's wife. She had become concerned following a phone conversation during which she heard one of the children crying. She was subsequently unable to reach her husband again. The three bodies were found inside the home.
Current status of the investigation
Police have stated they have not yet determined the cause or manner of death. Further examinations are planned. Australian media reported that police were treating the case as a suspected murder-suicide, but this has not been confirmed by Bali police. [TO VERIFY: exact classification of the case once official determination is released]
Background on the victims
Damien John Shaw was originally from Fremantle in Western Australia. Western Australian Premier Roger Cook described the situation as very confronting and sad. He expressed condolences to those involved and stated hope that the circumstances would be clarified soon.
Key details from police account
The wife had travelled to Jakarta in the days before the incident. After the phone call, neighbours knocked on the door without response before entering the property with other local residents. No further official information on the sequence of events has been released.
Frequently asked questions
Where were the bodies found?
The bodies were found inside a bungalow in Kuta, a popular tourist area in Bali.
Has the cause of death been confirmed?
No. Police have said further examinations are required and the cause remains undetermined at this stage.
Was anyone else present?
The wife was not in Bali at the time. She had contacted a neighbour after becoming concerned.
Key takeaways
- Bodies of Damien John Shaw and his two children were found in a Kuta bungalow on Sunday.
- The wife, absent from Bali, had alerted a neighbour after a concerning phone call.
- Police have not confirmed the cause or manner of death.
- Western Australian Premier described the incident as a very sad situation.