A Singaporean man has been arrested by Denpasar Police after his girlfriend was found dead inside a boarding house in Pedungan Village, South Denpasar, Bali. The victim, identified by her initials AS (26), was discovered in an advanced state of decomposition after her younger sister went to check on her following several days without contact.
Head of Public Relations for Denpasar Police, First Inspector I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya, confirmed that the case is being investigated as a suspected homicide.
“A woman was found dead, suspected to be the victim of abuse,” Adi said in a written statement on Thursday, 16 July 2026.
The victim’s body was evacuated to Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar, where an autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.
“This case is still under investigation by the Denpasar Police Criminal Investigation Unit. The victim’s body has been evacuated to Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital, Denpasar, and an autopsy is planned to determine the cause of death,” Adi said.
Victim Found After Family Lost Contact
According to police, the victim’s younger sister, identified as RA, visited the boarding house at around 7.00 pm WITA on Wednesday, 15 July, after repeatedly failing to reach her sister by phone.
As she arrived at the property, RA noticed a strong foul smell coming from the entrance. The odour became stronger as she approached the room. After opening the door, she saw part of the victim’s hair protruding from beneath a doll and a carpet.
Shortly afterwards, the victim’s boyfriend, identified as MZ, emerged from an adjacent room. When RA asked where her sister was, he reportedly remained silent.
Becoming suspicious, RA struck the man with a motorcycle helmet before he fled the scene on a motorcycle.
Police later found AS lying face down on the floor. Her body had been covered with dolls and a carpet and was already swollen due to decomposition. Officers also confirmed that no visible external injuries could be identified at the scene because of the condition of the body.
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Investigation Continues as Police Await Autopsy Results
Investigators said the victim, who was originally from Tegal, Central Java, had reportedly been living with the Singaporean national at the boarding house since March 2025.
Based on witness statements, the couple had experienced several arguments during their relationship, reportedly related to allegations of infidelity.
Police have also questioned another witness, identified by the initials DP, who told investigators that she had only known the suspect for three days. DP said she had been invited to stay overnight at the boarding house on 11 July and had noticed an unpleasant smell coming from the room.
According to Adi, DP later asked the suspect about the source of the odour on 14 July.
“When the witness asked about the smell, the suspect became angry, punched the wall, and told the witness not to ask too many questions,” Adi said.
The Denpasar Police Criminal Investigation Unit has continued its investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death. Detectives are examining witness statements and forensic evidence while awaiting the autopsy report, which is expected to determine the cause of death and whether further criminal charges will be filed against the suspect.
Police have not yet disclosed additional details regarding the motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.
