The death of 23-year-old Australian tourist Byron Haddow in Bali, Indonesia, on May 26 has triggered grief, anger and a storm of unanswered questions. What began as a tragic accident has become a complex international case, particularly after his body was returned to Australia without his heart.
Here's a breakdown of the key facts, the family's concerns and the ongoing investigation.
What happened on May 26?
Byron Haddow, from Noosa in Queensland, was found lifeless in the plunge pool of his rented villa in North Kuta, Bali.
His death certificate listed drowning as the cause, but his parents immediately doubted the explanation.
Byron was a strong swimmer, standing 178cm tall, while the pool was only 150cm deep.
His body also bore minor cuts and bruises and blood was reportedly seen on towels at the villa.
“Just when I thought I could not feel any more heartbroken, it was another kick in the guts," his mother, Chantal Haddow, said.
"I feel like there was foul play. I think that something’s happened to him prior to being in the pool," she added.
The missing heart and a family's anguish
Almost four weeks after his death, Byron’s body was flown home to Queensland.
Just two days before the funeral, his parents were told that his heart was missing; it had been retained in Bali without their knowledge or consent.
The family was later asked to pay A$700 to have the organ flown back, and it only arrived in Queensland on Aug 11, months after Byron’s death and weeks after his funeral.
Why was the organ withheld?
Faced with mounting scrutiny and allegations of organ trafficking, Prof Ngoerah Hospital in Denpasar, where the autopsy was conducted, firmly denied any wrongdoing.
The Director of Medical Nursing and Support, I Made Darmajaya stated that the rumours of organ theft were false.
“There was no interest from the hospital to withhold the heart. Actually, our interest was in the context of an examination in accordance with the law,” he said.
The forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy, Dr Nola Margaret Gunawan, offered a similar explanation: "For forensic purposes, his heart was tested and was kept behind when the family repatriated the body home. I have given the autopsy result and explanation to the family. They have accepted my explanation.”
The cause of death: A continuing dispute
The autopsy found alcohol and duloxetine (a prescription drug for depression and anxiety) in Byron’s system.
Indonesian investigators suggested this combination may have impaired his ability to react in the water.
The report also found minor abrasions on his forehead, eyelid and knee, but experts concluded the injuries were not fatal.
Forensic evidence showed Byron was still alive when he was submerged, as there were signs of breathing in the water.
However, the family insists his death was “highly suspicious,” pointing to the unexplained bruises, a four-day delay in the police response and the fact the scene had been contaminated by the time officers arrived.
The legal and ethical questions
The Haddow family’s lawyers argued that the case revealed serious gaps in medical procedures and communication with grieving families.
Lawyer Ni Luh Arie Ratna Sukasari said: “This incident raises serious questions regarding medical practices in Bali. We affirm that what happened to Byron Haddow is a grave matter of law, ethics and humanity.”
Another lawyer, I Gusti Ngurah Bayu Padana, questioned the legal basis for withholding the organ without consent and asked why a separate autopsy was carried out on the heart.
The family has since sent the organ for DNA testing to confirm it is indeed Byron’s heart.
What's next?
The case is currently under a coronial investigation in Queensland, and the findings have not yet been released.
Meanwhile, Bali Police have requested help from the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Consulate to locate two female friends who were with Byron before his death.
The Bali Funeral Home's Director, Ian Giovanni, also criticised how the case was handled, arguing the family should have been informed earlier and the organ returned without delay.