Bali Father Kills Children, Then Himself After Wife Hears Daughter’s Screams
Australian expat Damien John Shaw, 56, killed his two young children and himself in a bungalow in Kuta, Bali, on September 13, 2026. Police confirmed Shaw strangled his 6-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter before hanging himself. His wife, located 600 miles away in Jakarta, called a neighbor after hearing her daughter scream 'stop daddy' during a phone call. CCTV footage showed the son screaming inside the home while the daughter ran outside before being dragged back in. The family had lived in Perth, Australia, before moving to Bali. Shaw had attempted suicide approximately one month prior, but the family did not seek psychiatric treatment. Neighbors described the family as private but peaceful. Shaw had experienced significant personal losses, including his father, a brother, and his mother recently.
Key points
- Damien John Shaw, 56, an Australian expat, died in a murder-suicide in Kuta, Bali, on September 13, 2026.
- Shaw strangled his 6-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter before hanging himself in their bungalow.
- His wife, traveling in Jakarta, called a neighbor after hearing her daughter scream 'stop daddy' on a phone call.
- CCTV footage captured the son screaming inside the bungalow and the daughter running outside before being dragged back in.
- Shaw had attempted suicide about a month earlier, but the family did not seek psychiatric treatment.
- The family previously lived in Perth, Australia, and neighbors described them as private but peaceful.
Background
This incident follows a series of high-profile crimes and tragedies in Bali, including a Swiss tourist jailed in August 2026 for insulting Nyepi Day. The case highlights ongoing concerns about mental health crises among expatriates in Indonesia, particularly those with recent family losses or relationship issues. The family’s prior residence in Perth, Australia, and their move to Bali suggest a lifestyle change that may have contributed to stress, though no specific details on their relocation timeline were provided in the source.
Why it matters
The case underscores the critical need for mental health support and crisis intervention for expatriate families in Indonesia. The failure to seek psychiatric treatment after a prior suicide attempt highlights gaps in accessible mental health resources for foreigners in Bali. It also raises questions about the safety and support systems available to families in tourist-heavy areas, where isolation and stress can exacerbate mental health issues. The incident may prompt discussions about improving mental health services and community support for expatriates in Indonesia.
What to watch
Indonesian police are continuing their investigation into the deaths, though progress has been limited due to the wife’s state of shock and grief. Authorities may review mental health support systems for expatriates in Bali. The case could lead to increased awareness of mental health crises among foreigners in Indonesia and potential policy changes to improve access to psychiatric care. No further legal actions or charges are expected, as the perpetrator is deceased.
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