A holiday island is supposed to mean escape. Instead, a quiet bungalow in Kuta became the site of an unspeakable tragedy.
Local police in Bali are piecing together the final moments of 56-year-old Western Australian Damien John Shaw and his two young children. Their bodies were discovered inside a rental property on a Sunday morning, triggering an immediate international investigation into a suspected murder-suicide. It is a grim news story that has left communities from Perth to Denpasar reeling.
Here is what we know about the incident, how the alarm was raised, and why local authorities are treating the case as closed.
The Timeline of a Welfare Check
The nightmare began with a phone call that abruptly disconnected. Shaw’s Indonesian wife was visiting her parents in Jakarta at the time, having left Bali just days prior. While talking to her husband on the phone, she reportedly heard one of their children crying before the line went dead. Repeated attempts to reach Shaw failed.
Panicked, she contacted a local neighbor to perform a quick welfare check on the family's rental bungalow, located between the tourist hotspots of Kuta and Seminyak.
The neighbor, Nur Khamid, arrived at the property and received no response to repeated knocks. Working alongside the neighborhood chief and the landlord, they made the decision to force open the wooden double entry doors. Inside, they found the bodies of Shaw, his six-year-old son Archie, and his four-year-old daughter Laura.
What Investigators Discovered
Denpasar Police launched an immediate probe into the deaths, analyzing local CCTV footage and gathering statements from witnesses. Dr. Henky, a local forensic doctor at Bali's Ngoerah General Hospital, later presented preliminary findings to the media.
An external medical examination indicated that the two children had died due to physical violence, while Shaw succumbed to self-inflicted injuries. Denpasar Police Chief Leonardo David Simatupang confirmed that investigators reviewed security camera footage from around the property. Based on that footage and the timeline provided by the children's mother, police concluded that the father carried out the attack before taking his own life.
Because the perpetrator is deceased, Indonesian authorities stated they will not pursue formal criminal charges.
The Fallout and Official Responses
Government officials in Australia have responded with grief and caution as families grapple with the shock. Western Australian Premier Roger Cook addressed reporters shortly after the news broke, calling the situation horrific and expressing deep sympathy for those affected.
"This is a very sad, sad situation and our hearts go out to everyone involved," Cook said. "We hope that we can get to the bottom of what's gone on here as soon as possible."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the grieving family, though representatives declined to offer further comments due to strict privacy obligations. Outside the rental bungalow, simple reminders of the tragedy remained—men's footwear and three white roses wrapped in a pink bow left on the doorstep.
Understanding the Broader Impact
Tragedies involving foreign nationals in Bali often highlight the vulnerabilities that can exist away from home. While millions of Australians visit the resort island every year for vacations, expat families living long-term or semi-permanently face distinct pressures, isolation, and stress.
Mental health advocates stress that help is always available, regardless of geographic location. If you or someone you know is struggling with personal crises, family pressures, or mental health challenges, support services are open around the clock.
You can reach Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or 1800 RESPECT for domestic family violence assistance. International support lines and local consular services also remain ready to assist Australians overseas during emergencies.
