The mother who raised the alarm before her two children and partner were found dead in a Bali bungalow is too traumatised to speak to police, as investigators examine a suspected murder-suicide.
Damien John Shaw, 56, from Perth, was discovered dead at the Arca Bungalow complex in Legian on Sunday morning alongside his six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter.
Denpasar City Police said attempts to interview Mr Shaw’s wife had been limited because she remained in “deep shock and grief”. Officers are carrying out forensic work at the property, reviewing CCTV from inside and outside the complex and speaking to witnesses.
The woman had reportedly flown from Bali to Jakarta about four days before the deaths. During a phone call with her husband, she allegedly heard their four-year-old daughter crying and saying: “stop daddy”.
She then contacted the bungalow manager and requested an urgent welfare check. After neighbours and staff received no response from the villa, they forced their way inside and found the three bodies.
Initial examinations by Indonesian police suggested the two children, who were Australian citizens, had died after being smothered before Mr Shaw took his own life. The circumstances remain under investigation.
Mr Shaw was born in Fremantle and attended Melville Senior High School. His LinkedIn profile indicated that he had spent decades working in the maritime industry and had recently posted online seeking offshore employment.
His brother, Mark, still lives at the family’s former home in Perth. He declined to speak to reporters when visited on Monday.
A neighbour who had lived beside the property throughout his life said Mr Shaw had been private but had never caused trouble.
“I haven’t seen Damien for years but he grew up right here,” the neighbour said. “He was very private but never caused any trouble, we always exchanged pleasantries.”
The neighbour said he had never met Mr Shaw’s children and described the news as shocking and difficult to comprehend.
Anyone in Australia experiencing a mental health crisis can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. People experiencing family violence can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.
