Police in Bali have disclosed details from CCTV footage that they say support their suspicion that an Australian man killed his two children before taking his own life at a bungalow in Legian, Badung Regency.
The man, identified by police as 57-year-old SDJ, was found dead alongside his two children, ADS, 7, and LKS, 4, at a bungalow on Jalan Three Brothers, Legian Tengah, Kuta District, on Sunday, 13 September 2026. The children were found lying inside the bungalow, while SDJ was discovered hanging.
Denpasar Police Chief Kombes Pol Leonardo D Simatupang said CCTV footage was among the evidence examined by investigators. According to Leonardo, the footage captured sounds of an argument or disturbance, followed by what appeared to be one of the children screaming.
The footage then allegedly showed the younger child running out of the room while being chased by her father. She was subsequently caught and taken back inside.
Leonardo said the girl appeared frightened as she ran from her father. He said investigators believed she may have become distressed after witnessing violence involving her older sibling.
According to the police chief, the girl could be heard saying, “I love you, Daddy. I love you, Daddy,” while being chased.
Investigators also reported finding signs of violence around the neck of one of the children during an external examination of the bodies. Police are continuing to assess the CCTV footage, witness statements and other evidence as part of their investigation.
Police Prepare to End Investigation
At the time of the incident, SDJ’s wife, identified as 32-year-old TY, was in Jakarta. Police said she had left Bali on 10 September at around 9am local time to visit her parents.
While in Jakarta, TY was able to monitor the bungalow through CCTV connected to an application on her mobile phone. She reportedly noticed something unusual while checking the property and contacted the local community head and the bungalow’s owner.
The authorities were subsequently alerted, leading to the discovery of the three bodies at the property on Sunday morning at around 10.14am local time.
Based on their analysis of the CCTV footage and statements from witnesses, police currently suspect SDJ was responsible for the violence that led to the deaths of both children.
However, because SDJ was also found dead, police said the criminal investigation cannot proceed against him in the usual manner. Leonardo said investigators would hold a case conference to determine the next legal steps and are preparing to issue an SP3, or an order terminating the investigation.
The police chief said the decision would be based on the evidence collected during the investigation.
The deaths have prompted further examination of what happened inside the bungalow before the three bodies were discovered. Police are continuing to document the available evidence as they prepare the case conference.
