The family of Byron James Dumschat, a 23-year-old Queensland man found dead in a villa plunge pool in Bali on May 26, is calling for a thorough investigation into his death, suspecting foul play. The body showed scratches and head trauma, but police initially said natural causes were suspected.
Indonesian police now want to question three Australian witnesses who were with Dumschat before his death but were allowed to leave Bali without providing statements. The family's lawyer in Bali, Ni Luh Sari, criticized the delay and lack of response from the Australian consulate in securing their testimony.
An autopsy in Bali found high levels of alcohol and an antidepressant in Dumschat's system, along with bruises to his left forehead, right eyelid, and right knee from blunt force trauma deemed non-fatal but potentially weakening combined with the substances. The family questions why the death was not reported to police for four days.
Further complicating matters, Dumschat's heart was removed during autopsy and kept in Bali for months before being returned to Australia in mid-August. His mother, Chantal Haddow, expressed distress over the missing organ, which cost $700 to repatriate. The family has engaged a lawyer and is seeking analysis of CCTV footage and financial transactions from the night of his death.
The Queensland coroner is investigating with local police assistance, while the Bali Doctor Association defended the autopsy procedures as standard. Dumschat, a fly-in, fly-out worker from Noosa, was described by his mother as a respectful and generous young man.
