Deaths in Bali of 2 Chinese Tourists

More than two weeks of speculation and rumors surrounding the mysterious deaths of two Chinese nationals at the InterContinental Bali Resort, Jimbaran, were resolved to some extent at a press conference held at Denpasar Police Headquarters on Wednesday, 17 May 2023.

Li Chiming (24, male) and Cheng Jianan (22, female) were found dead inside the hotel on Monday, 01 May 2023.

Speculation that a homicide had taken place was fanned by a brutal crime scene where the naked and bloody bodies of the dead couple were located in a hotel room and adjacent hallway.

At the Wednesday press conference, police finally ruled the deaths a murder-suicide.

As reported by NusaBali.com, the Head of the Denpasar Police Precinct, Police Commissioner Bambang Yugo Pamungkas, announced that Li Chiming killed Cheng Jianan with heavy blows, binding, and drowning the woman in a bathtub. Li Chiming then took his own life by slashing his throat and inflicting other self-wounds with a broken beer bottle.

Officer Bambang Yudo said the deaths were ruled a murder-suicide based on the examination of the victim’s bodies performed by the Forensic Laboratory of the Bali Provincial Police.

Police discovered a crime scene where the couple’s naked bodies were covered in blood and surrounded by five empty beer bottles ordered earlier from Hotel Room Service. 

Police said the two people were a couple who arrived in Bali on Thursday, 27 April 2023, after which they checked into a Sanur area hotel. They relocated to InterContinental Bali Resort, Jimbaran, on Sunday, 30 April 2023.

The couple planned to stay in Bali on holiday until Tuesday, 02 May 2023.

Following an argument, Cheng Jianan left her male companion and moved to the Jimbaran area hotel. On Monday, 01 May, Li Chiming came to the InterContinental Bali Resort, where the two spent time drinking beer.

Police Commissioner Bambang told the press that police had interviewed 31 people about the incident. Police concluded that Li Chiming killed Cheng Jianan, who subsequently took his own life. 

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