Police: Head fragments in Ketewel, Bali belong to Ukrainian national Ihor Komarav
The Bali Regional Police have confirmed DNA test results on human remains found at Ketewel Beach, Gianyar Regency, identical to the Ukrainian national Ihor Komarav (28), who was reported missing. Ariasandy, the Head of Public Relations for the Bali Police, said the DNA sample from the remains, including blood stains at several crime scenes and the DNA profile of the victim’s mother, was 99.99 percent identical after a series of tests.
Identification procedures started with an autopsy at RSUP Prof Ngoerah in Denpasar and DNA testing conducted in Bali from 26 February 2026 until the results were received on 5 March 2026.
“The comparison of the DNA profile results shows that the maternal allele of the victim’s mother’s profile matches the maternal component of the blood profile on the black Avanza car and the blood profile at the Villa Summer in Pangkung, Tabanan, and the profiles from six bone samples studied earlier, with the maternity-based index calculation giving a DNA profile probability of 99.99 percent,” Ariasandy said on Friday (6/3).
Specifically, the body parts used for sampling consisted of six fragments: a molar tooth, a clavicle, a femur, a rib, a toe bone, and a tibia fragment. DNA found on these parts could be analysed and identified as belonging to a young male (XY chromosomes), matching the blood profile found on the black Avanza and the blood profile at the villa in Desa Pangkung, Tabanan. From these facts, police concluded that the head fragment belonged to Ihor Komarav.
In this case, police have named one suspect, a foreign national with the initials CH. Police are also continuing to pursue six other kidnapping suspects listed as DPOs: RM, BK, AS, VN, SM, and DH. “We are pursuing the six individuals already named as suspects. We have issued DPOs and red notices. We are coordinating with Immigration, Hubinter, and Interpol to locate the suspects who are suspected to have already left the country. All of them are foreign nationals with more than one passport,” said the former Head of Public Relations for Polda NTT.
Authorities are also examining whether there is any link between the suspects and foreign-based mafias.
Ihor Komarav was reported missing on Sunday (15/2) while practicing riding motorbikes with colleagues in the Jimbaran area, in Kuta Selatan District, Badung Regency. At first the victim was at the rear and was being chauffeured by a colleague when an unknown assailant suddenly attacked. The colleague managed to escape and informed the group ahead that the victim had been abducted.
A report was filed with Kuta Selatan Police. Shortly after, a live video surfaced showing the victim at a villa and demanding a ransom.
Joint Bali Police investigators conducted inquiries, crime scene processing, and reviewed CCTV footage at several locations. Based on investigators’ analyses, one Toyota Avanza and two motorcycles were identified as vehicles used in the operation. The vehicle was rented by a foreign national with initials CH at the instruction of others for a fee of Rp6 million.
GPS tracking of the vehicle led to a villa in the Tabanan area. There, police found blood traces which were secured for forensic testing. Similar traces were also found inside the Avanza used by the suspects.
“Preliminary identification results show that the blood at the villa and in the vehicle is identical,” Ariasandy said.
Investigators suspect the villa was used to record the live video that circulated, in which Ihor asked his family for a ransom.
Police also arrested CH. Further investigations revealed six other foreign nationals involved in the kidnapping, RM, BK, AS, VN, SM, and DH. They have been placed on the wanted list (DPO) and red notices have been submitted to Interpol.
On 26 February, residents of Ketewel, Gianyar Regency, Bali, were shocked by the discovery of human body parts including a head, later identified as Ihor Komarav.
Gianyar Police Public Relations Head Ipda Gusti Ngurah Suardita said body parts were found in the Wos River estuary, in Banjar Keden, Ketewel, Gianyar Regency, Bali.
“From searches by the joint team, several body parts were found near the crime scene. The body parts have been taken to RSUP Prof Ngoerah, Denpasar,” Suardita said on Thursday afternoon (26/2).
(kdf/antara/wis)