DENPASAR, Bali – Bali Police have confirmed that Australian national Cameron Hughes (39) died by suicide while being held at the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office detention facility, bringing clarity to a case that drew widespread attention last week.
The findings were announced by Denpasar Police Chief Senior Commissioner Leonardo David Simatupang during a press conference on Thursday.
According to Leonardo, investigators reviewed CCTV footage from inside the immigration detention facility, examined the scene, interviewed witnesses, and conducted a forensic autopsy before concluding that Hughes had taken his own life. Police said there was no indication that anyone else was involved in his death.
“The investigation concluded that the victim died by suicide,” Leonardo told reporters.
Authorities said Hughes appeared calm while inside the detention area before entering the bathroom. Officers later became concerned after noticing he had remained inside without moving for an extended period.
Immigration officers immediately checked on him and found him unconscious. Emergency first aid was administered before he was taken by ambulance to Bali Jimbaran General Hospital at around 5:30 p.m. local time.
Despite medical treatment, Hughes was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
The autopsy, carried out at Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar, found injuries consistent with suicide. Police said the forensic findings matched evidence gathered during the investigation, including CCTV footage from the detention facility.
Arrested Over Immigration Violations
Hughes had been arrested earlier on Friday after the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office concluded he had violated Indonesian immigration regulations by overstaying and misusing his residence permit.
Immigration authorities said they had been investigating Hughes since late March 2026 and had issued several summonses requesting his presence for questioning. After he reportedly failed to respond, officers arrested him at his residence in Jimbaran, South Kuta, with assistance from local community officials.
He was then placed in temporary immigration detention while awaiting deportation proceedings.
The Ngurah Rai Immigration Office previously stated that officers monitoring the detention room through CCTV noticed unusual inactivity inside the bathroom. After finding Hughes unconscious, staff immediately provided emergency assistance, including oxygen, while requesting an ambulance.
Investigation Concluded
Police said the combination of CCTV recordings, witness statements, crime scene examination and forensic evidence supports the conclusion that Hughes died by suicide.
Investigators also confirmed there was no evidence of assault, violence or criminal involvement by immigration officers or any other party.
The case has now been officially concluded.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this article may contain minor inaccuracies
in names, locations, or event details. Readers are welcome to contact the editorial team for any clarification.