An Australian father and his two children have been found dead in a villa in Bali in what police are treating as a suspected murder-suicide.
Damien John Shaw, 56, from Fremantle in Western Australia, was discovered with his six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter in a bedroom at the property in Kuta on Sunday morning.
Police believe Mr Shaw smothered the children before taking his own life, although the exact causes of death will be established by autopsies. No weapons were found at the scene.
Their mother had travelled to Jakarta four days earlier. She called her husband on Sunday and reportedly heard their daughter crying, saying: “Stop, Daddy,” before the call ended.
When repeated calls went unanswered, she contacted the bungalow manager to request a welfare check. Workers and neighbours then went to the property, knocked on the door and forced their way inside.
A police source said the children’s bodies had been placed on top of one another. Six mobile phones and three iPads were seized from the bungalow.
Mr Shaw and his wife had reportedly rented the property since their daughter was born in 2022, with their lease due to run until 2029. His wife has since returned to Bali.
Mr Shaw worked as an integrated rating in the maritime industry, a role combining deck and engine duties on a commercial ship. His professional profiles indicated he had spent 37 years in the field and he had shared photographs of himself with his children.
The three bodies were taken to Prof Ngoerah Hospital in Denpasar, where post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out.
Bali Regional Police Senior Commander Ariasandy said: “The case is still being investigated.”
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to the family.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” a spokesperson said. “Owing to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further comment.”
