Police Exhume Body of Suspected Chicken Thief in Tabanan, Bali

Tabanan Police have carried out an exhumation and autopsy on the body of KD, a man from Sidatapa Village, Banjar District, Buleleng, who died after being attacked by a mob for allegedly stealing a fighting cock in Batunya Village, Baturiti District, Tabanan. Police collaborated with the forensic team from Prof Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar to uncover the exact cause of the victim’s death.

The exhumation and autopsy process was conducted at the Setra Adat Sidatapa on Monday (27/7/2026). Tabanan Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head AKP Made Tedy stated that preparations for the autopsy had been made the day before, but the procedure was delayed because the victim’s family initially refused.

‘The reason for the delay was that the victim’s family initially refused to allow an autopsy,’ Tedy said.

According to Tedy, investigators then took a persuasive approach through the village government until the family finally agreed to grant permission. Tedy estimated the autopsy process would take around three hours.

Tedy explained that the autopsy was performed to ascertain the cause of the victim’s death as part of the evidence in the investigation process. ‘To find the cause of death,’ Tedy stressed.

Regarding the progress of the alleged mob attack case, Tedy said the investigation is still ongoing. The five individuals who have been named as suspects are still undergoing intensive examination at the Tabanan Police Station.

‘It is still in the investigation stage. The suspects are still undergoing more intensive examination at the police station,’ he said.