18-5-2023 (Jakarta) The police investigation into the bloody incident at Intercontinental Hotel in Bali has determined that it was a case of murder followed by suicide. The perpetrator, a 22-year-old Chinese man named Cheng Jianan, took the life of his partner, Li Chiming, 25, before ending his own. The motive behind the tragic incident was found to be related to their romantic relationship. Police Commissioner Bambang Yugo Pamungkas, the Chief of Denpasar Police, provided details during a press conference held at the third-floor auditorium of the Rapid Progress Building at Denpasar Police Headquarters on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
Commissioner Bambang was accompanied by Forensic experts from Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital, Dr. Dudud, and Dr. Rustyadi Kunthi Yulianti, as well as the Head of the Chemical Biology Subdivision of the Forensic Laboratory of Bali Regional Police, AKBP Imam Barnadi. They revealed that the blood-soaked incident, involving two Chinese guests, occurred at Hotel Intercontinental in Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung, under the jurisdiction of Denpasar Police.
The police collected several pieces of evidence, including a lighter, a kimono belt, and broken glass fragments. It was mentioned that the investigation was conducted following Standard Operational Procedures, including the examination of 31 witnesses and the review of CCTV footage from various locations.
The incident began when Li Chiming and Cheng Jianan arrived in Bali for a vacation on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Upon their arrival, the couple checked in at Hyatt Regency Sanur Hotel. They were supposed to stay at Hyatt Regency until Tuesday, May 2, 2023. However, a dispute arose, leading Li Chiming to move to Mansion Sanur Hotel on Saturday, April 29. During the check-in at Mansion Sanur Hotel, Li Chiming used her partner’s passport.
As Cheng Jianan did not have his passport with him, he reported it missing at Denpasar Selatan Police Station on Friday, April 28. Subsequently, on Sunday, April 30, 2023, Cheng Jianan moved to Intercontinental Hotel Jimbaran and stayed in Room 4223. “That’s how it happened. We have examined 31 witnesses and reviewed CCTV footage from the three places where the victims stayed,” Commissioner Bambang stated.
According to the receptionist at Mansion Hotel, Li Chiming had an injury on her hand and was seen with a bloody towel wrapped around it. At that time, Li Chiming claimed that the injury was not caused by any criminal activity but resulted from a quarrel with her partner. “Yes, she had that injury because she cut herself. She used a small towel from the hotel,” the receptionist explained.
Later, Li Chiming followed her partner to The Intercontinental Hotel on May 1, 2023, at 00:11 am. Cheng Jianan picked her up at the lobby, and they both entered Room 4223. They ordered five bottles of beer through room service at 01:15 am. “According to the room service attendant, Cheng Jianan seemed fine at that time. Li Chiming paid the bill, and both of them were in the room,” Commissioner Bambang emphasized.
Subsequently, the CCTV footage from around the room, both in front and behind, did not show anyone else entering the room. The former Police Chief of Sukoharjo explained the reason behind their nudity and concluded that a heated argument ensued between them, leading to their deaths. “Based on the medical examination and various investigation findings,
