Police in Bali are conducting DNA tests and tattoo identification to confirm the identity of human remains found at the estuary of the Wos River near Ketewel Beach, Gianyar Regency.
The remains are suspected to be linked to the kidnapping of a Ukrainian citizen identified by the initials IK.
Bali Police Public Relations Chief Senior Commissioner Aria Sandy said the identification process is ongoing and involves forensic teams and health authorities.
“This is still in process (checking tattoos), we’ll wait for the results. From the Health Department and our DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) team,” Sandy said on Saturday (28 February 2026), as reported by Kompas.com.
Preliminary findings identified a tattoo on the victim’s body depicting a clock with Roman numerals and the face of the Virgin Mary. Police are comparing this tattoo with records of the missing Ukrainian national.
Sandy confirmed that DNA testing is also underway to verify the identity of the remains.
“Regarding the body parts we found yesterday, we are currently in the process of identifying whose body parts they are. This is through DNA matching, including matching the DNA of the kidnapping victim’s parents,” he said.
Police have not yet officially confirmed whether the remains belong to the kidnapped individual.
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Human remains discovered at Ketewel Beach
Human body parts and internal organs were discovered at the mouth of the Wos River near Ketewel Beach on Thursday (26 February 2026).
Police suspect the remains belong to a victim of mutilation.
The discovery prompted a forensic investigation at the beach and surrounding estuary area. Authorities secured the scene and restricted public access while officers collected evidence.
Police have named six suspects in connection with the kidnapping of the Ukrainian national, identified by the initials RM, VK, AS, VN, SM, and DH. Investigators are currently searching for the suspects and the victim.
Based on immigration data, four of the suspects have reportedly left Indonesia. The remaining two suspects and the victim have not been recorded as leaving the country.
Police have not announced any arrests related to the mutilation or kidnapping case.
Police deny reports of foreign intelligence involvement
Bali Police also responded to claims circulating on social media regarding alleged involvement of foreign intelligence agencies in the kidnapping.
The claims were made by a Russian influencer known as Mr. Terimakasih, who posted on Instagram that intelligence officials from Ukraine and Russia had travelled to Bali to assist the investigation. He also claimed that the Ukrainian Presidential Administration had sent a protest note to the Indonesian President.
Senior Commissioner Aria Sandy said police have not received any official information confirming the presence of foreign intelligence teams. Police have not provided further details regarding possible international coordination in the case.
Residents report discovery and village plans purification ceremony
The severed head was first discovered by a jogger near the beach, according to Ketewel Village Head Putu Gede Widya Kusuma Negara. Residents initially believed the object was part of an ogoh-ogoh statue used in traditional ceremonies ahead of Nyepi.
“They thought it was a piece of ogoh-ogoh, you know. They thought it was a toy. If no flies landed on it, it would have been considered a toy,” he said on Saturday (28 February 2026), as quoted from Kumparan.
Residents reported the discovery to local authorities, who then contacted police.
Police and forensic officers arrived at the scene and secured the area. Residents were not allowed to approach or document the evacuation.
“We weren’t allowed to take any pictures. I was the only one allowed to accompany the others, and I wasn’t allowed near here,” Widya said.
He said he later saw multiple body parts recovered from the beach.
“There were pieces of the chest and arms, the soles of the feet, the innards, and the tattoos on the arms were still visible,” he said.
Authorities confirmed there are no CCTV cameras directly covering the estuary or beach. Surveillance cameras are located near nearby temples and private villas, approximately one to two kilometres from the site.
Local officials are assisting police in collecting data on foreign nationals who have stayed in nearby villas.
In response to the discovery, village authorities plan to hold a mecaru ceremony on Tuesday (3 March 2026). The ritual is intended to restore spiritual balance, as the beach is considered a sacred area in Balinese tradition.
