Bali Chicken Thief Had Given Child's School Building Fee Before Fatal Mob Attack

A man suspected of stealing chickens, identified by the initials KD, did not return home for three days to his residence in Sidatapa Village, Banjar District, Buleleng, Bali. KD had handed over money for his child’s school building fee before he was beaten to death by a mob after being caught stealing chickens in Batunya Village, Baturiti District, Tabanan.

KD’s cousin, Made Partha, stated that KD worked odd jobs daily. During the clove harvest season, he worked as a clove picker. Outside the harvest season, he earned a living as a hoe labourer to support his wife and two daughters.

He admitted he did not know the reason KD allegedly resorted to stealing fighting cocks in Batunya Village. According to Partha, before disappearing for three days, KD had given his wife Rp 2,713,000 to pay the school building fee for his child, who attends a private high school.

Not long after KD disappeared, Partha received news from village officials that a body had been found in the Baturiti area. When he arrived at the location, he did not yet know the cause of his cousin’s death. He even signed a reconciliation letter at the Baturiti Police Station, believing KD had died of natural causes. However, after seeing a video circulating on social media and the condition of the body, the family discovered KD was suspected of being a victim of a mob attack.