Journalist's death remains a mystery

Journalist's death remains a mystery

Officials refuse to disclose the investigation results into the death of a newspaper reporter, despite reports that a recent autopsy had revealed "enlightening" facts. 

On Tuesday, the police confirmed the Radar Bali newspaper reporter, Anak Agung Gede Bagus Narendra Prabangsa, had suffered blunt force trauma to the head. However, they remained tightlipped on any other information, citing the ongoing investigation. 

"The preliminary result from the autopsy showed he was hit in the head with a blunt object. We can't disclose any more preliminary results because we're afraid it will only disrupt our work," Sr. Comr. Gde Sugianyar Dwi Putra, head of the Bali Police's public relations division, said in Denpasar. 

On Monday, Prabangsa was found dead, floating in the sea just off Padangbai, Karangasem. The 41-year-old journalist had been missing since last Thursday. 

The police, who often work closely with journalists, promised a swift and thorough investigation into Prabangsa's death. 

The gravity of the case has been underscored by the fact it is being handled by the Bali Police, and not the local police. 

Sugianyar said the Bali Police's crime unit had taken over the investigation. 

"The investigation is moving extra fast on this case, and our detectives are working together with the Manggis Police in Karangasem to solve this case," he said. 

"But in relation to how we work, I simply cannot publicize the results of our field investigations. Neither can we say who the witnesses are." 

Autopsy results also showed Prabangsa was apparently still breathing when he entered the water. 

"This is evident in the presence of foreign objects inside his digestive system," said Dr. Dudut Rustyadi, coordinator of Sanglah Hospital's forensics lab. 

However, he refused to specify how long Prabangsa had been in the sea, saying, "The perpetrator might use *this information* for an alibi." 

Further examination of the body, Dudut said, showed it was already in a highly decomposed state. The ears and eyeballs were missing, indicating they had been eaten by fish. 

Furthermore, Prabangsa's body, showed signs of a struggle. 

"His face is bruised, while his head and right arm are broken. It's like he was blocking something," Dudut said. 

Prabangsa's body was buried Monday evening after the autopsy, at his parents' home in Taman Bali Buleleng, where his family last saw him. 

The funeral was conducted quickly because his family believed his death was unnatural. In Hindu-majority Bali, the deceased are often left alone for a while before being cremated in an elaborate ceremony. 

Prabangsa had worked at Radar Bali for the past eight years. 

According to friends, the death did not seem to have any connection with the news he was working on or his profession as a journalist. 

"I and several of my friends have already gone through questioning, but I think none of us have any information on anything suspicious. We're confused too. Who would do this, and why?" said Candra Gupta, Prabangsa's colleague at Radar Bali. 

Prabangsa is survived by his wife, Sagung Mas Prihantini , and two children, Anak Agung Gede Candra Dwipayana, 11, and Anak Agung Sri Hartini Dewantari, 14

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