DENPASAR, Bali — The family of an Australian man who died while being held at an immigration detention facility in Bali has agreed to a forensic autopsy as they seek answers about the circumstances surrounding his death.
The examination is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar, after investigators requested a full post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
The decision follows a series of differing accounts surrounding the death of Cameron James Michael Hughes, 39, a long-term Australian resident who had lived in Bali for more than 15 years.
Initially, immigration authorities said Hughes collapsed while in detention and that a preliminary medical assessment suggested he had suffered a heart attack.
However, Bali Police later said evidence gathered during the initial crime scene investigation indicated the death may have been a suicide, with investigators requesting an autopsy to establish the official cause.
Family Seeks Clarity
Police said Hughes’ relatives have now been briefed on the investigation alongside representatives from the Australian Consulate and have agreed to the autopsy.
Authorities say the examination is expected to provide a clearer understanding of what happened inside the detention facility on the evening of July 10.
For Hughes’ family, the forensic examination represents an important step toward resolving unanswered questions surrounding his death.
Long-Term Bali Resident
According to previous statements from his family, Hughes had made Bali his home for more than a decade. He operated a classic car restoration business in Jimbaran and shared an eight-year-old son with his Indonesian wife.
His relatives have previously described him as a devoted father who had recently been attempting to resolve his immigration status so he could remain close to his child.
Investigation Continues
Immigration officials have said Hughes was detained after an investigation into an alleged violation of his residence permit and was awaiting deportation proceedings.
The Ngurah Rai Immigration Office has maintained that officers followed standard detention procedures, including routine CCTV monitoring, and said staff immediately provided first aid and called an ambulance after discovering Hughes unconscious inside the facility.
Police have since taken over the investigation into the death.
Until the autopsy is completed, authorities say the exact cause of death has not been formally established.
The findings are expected to play a key role in determining the final outcome of the investigation.
