Bali policeman murder charge: Sara Connor's family says Byron Bay community devastated
The family of an Australian woman charged with murdering a Balinese policeman says their thoughts and love are with their daughter.
Wayan Sudarsa was found in the early hours of Wednesday on Kuta Beach with more than 40 wounds police said may have been caused by a broken beer bottle.
Sara Connor, a 45-year-old mother of two from Byron Bay, was charged with murder, assault causing death and group assault after being questioned on Saturday.
Her British partner, David Taylor, faces the same charges, Bali Police Chief Sugeng Priyanto told the ABC.
This morning a long line of police officers were among mourners gathered outside Mr Sudarsa's home ahead of his cremation.
Bali police & community prepare for a traditional cremation ceremony of dead officer Sudarsa#Bali
In a statement to the media, Connor's family said the Byron Bay community was "heartbroken" over reports she had been named a suspect.
"Our thoughts, hearts and love go out to Sara as she deals with this thoroughly tragic incident."
The statement said the community "to whom she has given so much" is offering all it can in return.
Denpasar Police Chief Hadi Purnomo told the ABC some of the suspects' statements did not match during initial interrogations, but both admitted to being at the scene of the crime on the morning of the policeman's death.
He said witnesses had seen the suspects wrestling with one another.
He also said police were looking for clothes the suspects were wearing that morning.
A motorbike taxi driver whom police called back to the scene on Saturday night told them a woman with blood on her clothes had asked to be taken to a police station but he refused.
Suspect had bite mark on her leg, lawyer says
Connor is being represented by lawyer Erwin Siregar, who also represented Australian Schapelle Corby.
He said Connor had signed a document enabling police to detain her for the next 20 days while investigations continued.
That time can be extended by police to up to 100 days.
Mr Siregar said Connor had arrived in Bali on Tuesday and Taylor met her at the airport, where they bought beer before returning to the man's homestay.
"Then they are going to the restaurant, she drank a beer, and then they are going to the beach with two beer bottles, one each," he said.
Mr Siregar said the man and woman had been kissing on the beach after arriving at 11:00pm and leaving about 3:00am.
The murder charge carries a maximum of 15 years in jail.
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