Kidnap victim Kampusch now a TV star

Kidnap victim Kampusch now a TV star	2.06.2008

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Aussie girl murdered in Bali

A YOUNG Australian woman has been found naked and brutally stabbed to death in a Bali villa.
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Latest Comments:

Am I the only person here who has actually read the article properly? the main suspect, it looks like, is the woman's ex-husband, who was just filed divorce papers, and, surprise surprise, lives on the island. Oh, and he is Australian. So throw all your racist garbage out the window, please.
Posted by: JK 4:55pm today

I work with one of Heidi's close relatives and unfortunately the news was broken to her this morning by way of myself talking about this article. It's a horrific incident but in no way should the Balinese people be dragged through the mud with this. Heidi chose to base herself in Bali and has been there for years - she enjoyed the diversity and the culture and loved the people. It's always upsetting to hear of an Australian killed offshore, but I'm fairly certain that more Australians would be killed by other Australians on Australian terrority each year. Our thoughs should be with the friends and family foremost and then of the Balinese people who I'm sure will unfairly lose again with this bad publicity.
Posted by: BJ of Sydney 4:55pm today

'michael of Brisvegas' Are you so naive, ignorant orjust simply stupid. and Get over th 'brisVEGAS' crap moron...
Posted by: [A] of Brisbane 3:47pm today

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Young woman stabbed to death in Bali
Lived in Bali for several years
Gallery: Friends at the murder scene

A YOUNG Sydney woman has been found brutally stabbed to death in a Bali villa and police last night said she had been murdered.

The 34-year-old`s body was discovered yesterday by a shocked tradesman who arrived at her rented villa to do some painting.

She had received multiple stab wounds, including to the neck and back and police said she had fought with her attacker as she had injuries to her hands.

Naked body

The Department of Foreign Affairs officials would not confirm the name, but Indonesian police said the woman was Heidi Murphy of Sydney and that she had lived in Bali in the villa in the suburb of Canggu for several years.

She owned a garment and textile business in Kerobokan, a suburb near where she lived and her body was found.

"Indonesian authorities are investigating the woman`s death," the DFAT spokesman said.

"The Australian consul-general in Bali and the department in Canberra are providing consular assistance to the woman`s family."

The local police chief, Senior Supt Achmad Subarkah, said Ms Murphy had 16 stab wounds - one to the right side of her neck and the others in her back. Her naked body was found half-covered by a blanket.

Revenge

Supt Subarkah said it was believed that Ms Murphy had fought with her attacker as her hands and ears were also injured.

He said it was believed that nothing had been stolen from the villa and that the killing may have been one of revenge.

There was also no signs of a break-in, indicating the killer may have already been inside. No murder weapon has yet been found. She was last seen alive about 7pm on Saturday night by friend.

Supt Subarkah said that Ms Murphy`s ex-husband, an Australian with whom she was in the process of finalising a divorce, also lived in Bali.

"Friendly woman"

Late yesterday, as police searched the two-storey villa for clues to her brutal death, her landlord and neighbours told of a young woman who liked parties on Saturday night and who was friendly and cheerful.

Her landlord, Agung Made Kastadi, said that a painter who had come to the villa at about 12pm yesterday could not get any answer to his knocks so he jumped the fence and found the naked and wounded body in the downstairs area of the house.

In shock, he called Mr Kastadi who immediately called the police.

He said the woman had lived in the two-bedroom and two-storey villa, positioned in the middle of a tranquil rice field, since January 2005, paying rent of 35 million Rupiah or about $4200 AUD per year.

She had paid herself to have a swimming pool installed at the villa.

No security

Mr Kastadi said that unlike many Westerners living in Indonesia, Ms Murphy had no employed security, telling him that she believed the villas location was safe.

Sometimes she called me to fix things at the villa and she was always very friendly, Mr Kastadi said.

Ms Murphy`s villa was one of two connecting villas in the area of Canggu, along the coast from the suburbs of Kerobokan and Seminyak.

With AAP

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Today`s Top Picks

Aussie girl murdered in Bali

A YOUNG Australian woman has been found naked and brutally stabbed to death in a Bali villa.
Gallery: Friends gather in shock