A Singaporean national identified by his initials MZ, 26, is suspected of killing his girlfriend, identified as AS, 26, at his boarding house room in Pedungan, Denpasar, Bali. Following her death, MZ allegedly kept her body in the room, where it decomposed. A foul smell that later emerged reportedly drew suspicion from the suspect’s new partner, whose questions were met with anger rather than answers.
The severe assault that led to AS’s death came to light on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Based on the investigation, AS is believed to have been killed by the suspect on Saturday, July 11. Her body was left in MZ’s boarding room, where it decomposed.
The Smell That Raised Suspicion
The foul odor from the room was first noticed by a witness identified as DP, the suspect’s new girlfriend. “The witness was invited by the suspect to stay overnight at the boarding house that was the crime scene, and at that time the witness smelled something unpleasant, but did not ask what the smell was,” said Denpasar Police public relations chief Iptu I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya in a statement Thursday.
Three days later, the smell was still present in the room. DP eventually worked up the courage to ask MZ about the source of the odor. MZ responded with anger, striking the wall in front of her. “DP asked the suspect about the smell she noticed, but the suspect became angry and said ‘why are you asking’ while hitting the wall,” Adi said.
How the Body Was Discovered
AS’s body was ultimately discovered after her younger sibling, identified as RA, went to check on her after being unable to reach her by phone. Upon arriving at the location, RA found the victim’s body concealed beneath a stuffed toy. At the scene, RA also confronted the suspect and struck him before MZ fled on a motorcycle.
Shortly after police arrived at the location, the suspect was apprehended on Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai. MZ has since been taken into custody by the Denpasar Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim) and named a suspect.
