This report contains sensitive information. It is not intended to encourage self-harm. Readers experiencing emotional distress are urged to seek professional help or local mental health services.
DENPASAR, Bali —DENPASAR, Bali — As previously reported by Hey Bali several hours earlier, a Russian national was found dead inside a private residence in Kerobokan, North Kuta. Police have since finalized key findings and confirmed the woman’s identity, releasing additional details that clarify the circumstances of her death and address concerns within Bali’s expatriate community.
The woman has been identified as VG, a 50-year-old Russian citizen who had been living alone in a rented house on Jalan Muding Indah, Kerobokan Kaja. She was discovered on Thursday morning, January 1, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m. local time. Authorities say preliminary findings indicate suicide, with no evidence suggesting the involvement of other parties.
VG was found by Ni Wayan Latri, a local woman who works at the property and lives nearby. According to police, Latri noticed that the garage light at the house remained on that morning and went to turn it off. Upon entering the garage area, she saw VG hanging.
Shocked by the discovery, Latri returned to her home to alert her husband. The house owner and a local community police officer (Bhabinkamtibmas) were then contacted, prompting a formal police response.
Personnel from the North Kuta Police, including intelligence and patrol units, arrived at the scene at approximately 10:45 a.m. An examination of the body found no signs of external violence. Police also noted the presence of livor mortis, consistent with the estimated time of death.
“There were no indications of physical abuse or struggle on the victim’s body,” said Aiptu Ni Nyoman Ayu Inastuti, acting public information officer for the Badung Police, as quoted in local reports. “The findings support the conclusion that there was no criminal element.”
Investigators reported that VG was found wearing a house dress and had used a rope approximately seven meters in length, tied with a simple knot. A chair measuring about 42 centimeters in height was located at the scene. Police said these details were documented as part of standard investigative procedure.
The property owner, Made Nasia, told authorities that VG had been experiencing mental health difficulties. According to his statement, the woman appeared emotionally distressed, which he believed was linked to ongoing conditions in her home country, including the prolonged conflict involving Russia and Ukraine.
Nasia also said that VG had previously been taken to Garba Med General Hospital for a medical evaluation, where she was assessed by doctors and described as experiencing depression. During her time in Bali, she reportedly lived a reclusive life and rarely left the house.
Police catalogued several personal belongings found inside the residence, including approximately 60 million rupiah in cash, small amounts of foreign currency, two passports, a mobile phone with its charger, and a handwritten note believed to be a suicide letter. Authorities have not disclosed the contents of the note.
At around 12:50 p.m. on January 1, VG’s body was transported to Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar for temporary placement. Police have asked the property owner to assist in contacting the victim’s family or representatives to arrange the repatriation of her remains to Russia.
While investigators maintain that the case shows no signs of criminal activity, the incident has quietly resonated within Bali’s expatriate community. It highlights the often unseen mental health challenges faced by foreign residents living far from home, particularly those affected by conflict, isolation, and prolonged uncertainty.
Police emphasized that the case is being handled according to legal and procedural standards and urged the public to approach the matter with sensitivity and restraint.
Reported by Ferry Fadly
Written by Hey Bali Newsroom