First adjunct inspector Ni Nyoman Ayu Inastuti, Head of Public Relations at Badung Police, said here on Friday that the deceased, a 25-year-old Chinese national female, reportedly fell ill on September 2, 2025.
Media reports speculated the case might involve bedbug fumigation poisoning or contaminated food.
However, the police said preliminary indications point to a diarrhea-related illness as the cause.
“While the exact cause of death cannot be definitively determined, gastrointestinal irritation leading to diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance cannot be ruled out,” Inastuti said.
Authorities examined the victim’s vomit at Denpasar Forensic Laboratory, finding no traces of pesticides, narcotics, cyanide, arsenic, hazardous chemicals, or methanol.
An autopsy at Prof. Ngoerah Hospital revealed no signs of violence. Internal examination found bleeding spots and blood vessel dilation in the stomach lining, black-green fluid in the stomach cavity, red spots along the small intestine, and empty large intestine, consistent with gastrointestinal disease.
Other guests who experienced similar symptoms were hospitalized at separate facilities, including two Chinese nationals, two Germans, one Saudi Arabian, and one Filipino.
Witnesses, hostel employees, reported that the deceased complained of headaches, back pain, and weakness on the evening of September 1.
She vomited once, declined offered food, and requested only water and a banana. She later visited a clinic but only left with a prescription.
Police found the deceased lying on the floor of the room; medical checks indicated she had likely been deceased 2-12 hours prior due to dehydration.
Inastuti said the death is strongly suspected to result from sickness, not a criminal act. Investigations continue to determine the exact cause.
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Translator: Rolandus, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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