Lawyers for the family of a young Queensland man who died in Bali have criticised the police investigation and the responsiveness of the Australian consulate, saying there appeared to be more to the death than a straightforward case of antidepressants, too much booze and a plunge pool.
Byron Haddow’s death at his holiday villa on May 26 was “highly suspicious” and required more in-depth analysis of prior events, particularly financial transactions, the lawyers said.
Byron Haddow (right) was on holiday in Bali after a long stint of FIFO work.Credit: Nine News
Haddow, a Noosa-based FIFO worker, had apparently been drinking with three other Australians, each of whom returned home without giving interviews to police.
About four weeks after he died, the 23-year-old’s body was repatriated to Australia without the heart, which, unknown to his devastated family members as they planned his funeral, remained in Bali for further pathological testing. The missing organ has compounded their grief.
The forensic report found alcohol and a prescription-only drug called duloxetine – used to treat depression, anxiety and some forms of pain – in Haddow’s system. It also noted cuts and bruises on Haddow’s left forehead, right eyelid and right knee, but determined the blunt-force trauma was not enough to kill him.
The family’s lawyers said the discovery of the injuries raised “serious concerns” and were inconsistent with “the simplified explanation that he was merely found in the pool”.
Haddow’s family said it was unaware of him being on any prescription drugs or suffering ill mental health.
Investigators have revealed Haddow was with three other Australians – two women and a man – before he died. This masthead has been told by lawyers that there was a “financial exchange” between Haddow and two of the others. The circumstances were unknown.
No evidence has been produced to suggest the Australians were in some way responsible for Haddow’s death, either deliberately or unintentionally. But the lawyers, from the firm Malekat Hukum, were dumbfounded that they had not been interviewed.
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