Australian woman 'charged with murder' over Bali policeman's death

Queensland woman Sara Connor has reportedly been charged over the death of a policeman on Bali’s Kuta Beach.

The mother-of-two has been charged with murder, assault causing death and group assault, the ABC has reported.

Ms Connor, whose partner, British man David James Taylor, is also being questioned over the alleged murder, faces a maximum 15 years in jail if found guilty.

First Adj. Insp Wayan Sudarsa's badly beaten body was found lying on Kuta Beach outside the Pullman Hotel, about 3.30am on Wednesday, police claim.

Hotel security officers discovered his body, with his face covered in sand, a wound to his forehead and leg, and his shirt unbuttoned and bloodied.

The smashed remains of a beer bottle was found near Mr Sudarsa's head, matching reports a post mortem revealed the officer was repeatedly hit with an object, believed to be a glass bottle.

He suffered 17 open wounds to his head.

The Daily Telegraph reports Ms Connor’s black leather bag and her driver’s license along with a credit card were also found at the crime scene.

Ms Connor is well known in the NSW north coast community for her small business Byron Bay Fresh Pasta.

The mother-of-two and her partner were arrested on Friday afternoon in Denpasar after police put out an alert to immigration officials in a bid to stop the pair from leaving the island.

Police had initially been trying to find Ms Connor and another man, before Sara made herself known to authorities less than 24 hours after her image began circulating. It appears authorities released the wrong name and image of her travel companion.

Initially it was claimed up to four tourists were responsible for the attack.

Denpasar Police Chief Hadi Purnomo said a lawyer and translator would be present for pair's interrogation over the murder, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

"We will determine their status within 24 hours," Mr Purnomo said.

Bali Provincial Police Chief Sugeng Prayitno told reporters he initially interrogated the couple, but Ms Connor could not obtain much detail about the circumstances leading to the officer's death "because her memory is still unclear".

The woman told authorities she was drunk at the time and can’t remember all of the events of that night, while her partner refused to answer questions without his lawyer, Mr Prayitno said.

She told police she was on Kuta beach with her partner, where they were intimate. She had lost her purse and hurt her her arm and leg but did not provide police with how she sustained the injuries.

"According to female suspect, she admitted that she was drunk at the time. She couldn't remember all the events that night."

Witnesses say they heard screams around 3am local time on Wednesday with the officer's body located at the Kuta beach scene.

Police investigators said the officer was found with severe injuries to his neck and head.

Inspector Sudarsa's walkie-talkie was found next to him while his police cap was spotted 20 metres away, according to local police.

A broken surf board found near the body has also been seized.

Police searched the Kubu Kauh Beach Inn hotel room where Ms Connor and Mr Taylor were staying on Thursday - the day after they check out - and allegedly found blood on the bed, doors, walls and floor, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

A blood-stained towel was also found in the bathroom.

Police have confirmed two hotel security guards have already been questioned and released.

CCTV from the Pullman Hotel, near where the body was found, was being reviewed as part of the investigation.

A statement issued by Ms Connor's family described the woman as a positive and happy person, who is devoted to her children and small catering business.

“The accusations laid against her are totally out of character for this beautiful person,” her family say.

"Sara is a very honest, reliable and generous person.

"She has a huge heart. Her love for her boys is the biggest love in her life. She is very passionate about life and exudes enthusiasm wherever she goes."

Ms Connor and Mr Taylor would be taken to the crime scene on Saturday, where they admitted to being the night the officer was killed, police say.