Tourist found dead near Bali beach hours after checking out of hotel
The friends of a Sydney man found dead near a Bali beach are stunned by his sudden death and pleading for help to find out what happened.
Christopher ‘Kibby’ Harris had reportedly checked out of his hotel 16 hours before his body was found near Batu Belig beach, 20 minutes north of Kuta, at 11am on Saturday (local time), his friends say.
What caused the death of the British national, who had been living in Sydney, remains a mystery. His mates have pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.
“We are searching for his passport and belongings thought to maybe have been left on the beach,” Riess Willcocks wrote on a Bali community Facebook group early Wednesday morning.
“Please, please any information at all can you please contact me,” he begged, sharing a picture of a wide-smiled Mr Harris.
A GoFundMe page has since been set up to return Mr Harris’s body home to the UK.
“On 30th March 2019 at 11am, Christopher Kibby Harris passed away in Bali. It is not yet known how he passed and as soon as we know you will be informed,” the fundraising page reads.
“As you will understand Kibby’s parents Sandra and Peter are devastated by the news as we all are.
“Kibby was a one of a kind human who had the power to light up the room with just a sentence, with his infectious smile and huge personality.”
The page has already raised more than $21,700, with many of those who donated commenting with fond memories of Mr Harris.
“Truly one of life’s greats!” a friend wrote on the page. “You will be missed by every single person you met. You little bald, bare footed legend. Love you forever bro.”
Another added: “Oh Kibby. You wizard. Thank you for being you, ya old fruit. Thoughts are with your family.”
On Facebook, another friend wrote: “RIP Christopher Kibby Harris, you were one of a kind!xx.”
An investigation into the tourist’s death is reportedly being conducted by local authorities.
A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office told Birmingham Live that its staff are offering advice and support to the family of a British man following his death in Bali, and are in contact with the local authorities.
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