URGENT UPDATE: The family of Byron Haddow, a 23-year-old from Noosa, Queensland, is in shock after receiving their son’s body from Bali without his heart. This alarming revelation follows his death under mysterious circumstances in May 2023.
Byron was found unconscious in a pool on the popular holiday island, prompting suspicions about the true cause of his death. After his family raised concerns, a forensic autopsy was ordered by both family members and Indonesian authorities.
Four weeks after his death, Byron’s body was repatriated to Australia, but during a second autopsy conducted in Queensland, it was discovered that his heart was missing. His mother expressed her heartbreak, stating, “My heart literally dropped when I was told,” emphasizing the family’s desire for closure in a time of grief.
“We thought at least we could say goodbye to him and lay him to rest,” she added, revealing that even the consulate in Bali was unaware of the situation.
Byron’s death is now the subject of an official coronial investigation, with Indonesian authorities initially listing the cause as drowning. However, his mother disputes this account, noting that her son had cuts on his body, raising questions about the circumstances of his death. “None of what they say about him drowning in a plunge pool adds up,” she declared. “I strongly believe he was set up, drugged, robbed, and it all went bad. That’s my opinion.”
A Balinese coroner has stated that they cannot determine whether Byron’s death was accidental, a suicide, or a homicide. In a distressing twist, the family was forced to pay an additional $700 to have Byron’s heart returned, receiving it months after his funeral and burial.
In the days following his death, Byron’s mother took to social media, lamenting, “We are still chasing answers as to how our fit, healthy 23-year-old son wound up dead in his private villa.”
Byron was remembered fondly by friends and family, with one tribute stating, “He was the funny, kind, and considerate friend that you could always count on,” highlighting the emotional impact of his untimely passing.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) has been contacted for comment regarding this troubling case as the Haddow family continues to seek justice and clarity surrounding their son’s death.
This story is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The family urges anyone with information to come forward as they navigate this painful journey.
