National snapshot Murder theory on Bali body

AN Australian man found dead in his Bali home most likely died from head wounds and his body also shows signs of defensive wounds, indicating a fight.

The bloodied body of 63year- old Stephen James Richardson, from Darwin, was found in his rented Sanur home late on Monday and police are combing the scene for clues as to what happened.

Authorities are yet to conduct an autopsy but Dr Dudut Rustyadi, at Sanglah morgue, said yesterday that Mr Richardson had suffered open wounds and lacerations to the head caused by sharp and blunt objects.

It comes as Mr Richardson’s friends and family paid tribute to a man whose nickname was “Ape”.

He had lived in Darwin for 30 years.

One friend said he was a “champion”, a seafarer all his life who had worked on tugs in Darwin, retiring after he was injured about five years ago.

“Staunch as you get. Stubborn and hard, got a heart like Phar Lap. One of those blokes you knew where you stood,” the friend said.

Mr Richardson was living off his super payout and his wife, Karen, was back in Darwin looking for work. He has two sons, in Sydney and WA.

Police suspect murder but cannot be sure until a full autopsy is conducted.

South Denpasar chief, Wisnuwardana, witnesses had been tioned.

Dr Rustyadi said police would not reveal the time of death though the wounds indicated it was not suicide.

The body was found after Australian friend Garry Croker went to Mr Richardson’s home to check on him after he failed to answer his telephone.

Mr Croker told News Corporation that he got a ladder from the home’s owner, who lived next door, and jumped the fence.

After looking through the door he saw Mr Richardson’s body and called for help.

The home’s owner Made Adnyana told News Corporation that Mr Richardson had rented the home from him for two years from February.

Mr Adnyana saw and heard nothing suspicious.

Authorities are awaiting family approval to conduct an autopsy. They can, however, conduct one without approval if they suspect foul play. police said 12 ques-