New Zealand Tourist Found Dead at Ubud Guesthouse

A New Zealand national, Martin Cox, aged 67, was found dead at Sandi Guest House on Jalan Sri Wedari, Lingkungan Taman Kaja, Ubud District, on Sunday, 8 March 2026. The man was believed to have died in his guesthouse room due to illness.

“A foreign national from New Zealand was found dead at 10:30 Wita,” stated Head of Public Relations Section (Kasi) of Gianyar Police Resort Ipda Gusti Ngurah Suardita in a statement to detikBali on Monday, 9 February 2026.

Suardita explained that Cox’s body was initially discovered by cleaning staff at the guesthouse. Before entering Cox’s room, the cleaner knocked on the door several times. However, there was no response from Cox. The cleaning staff attempted to look through the door before trying to open it, which turned out to be unlocked.

“Upon entering the room, the witness (cleaning staff) found the victim was motionless with a darkened body,” Suardita said.

The cleaning staff then reported the incident to the guesthouse owner and police. Shortly after, several police officers and a doctor from Nusa Medical Clinic Gianyar arrived to investigate Cox’s room.

The investigation found no irregularities on Cox’s body. Cox’s body was already in a state of rigor mortis, darkened, and showing characteristic signs of decomposition including colour changes to greenish or blackish tones and body swelling due to decomposition gases.

“When discovered, the victim was lying on the bed in a left-leaning position. The victim was wearing a t-shirt and blue denim trousers,” he stated.

Suardita confirmed that Cox’s body was evacuated to RSUP Prof Ngoerah. According to the doctor’s assessment, Cox died due to sudden cardiac arrest.

“According to the doctor’s report, cardiac arrest,” he said.