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Bali deaths: Bischoff family reject Indonesian autopsy Bali deaths: autopsies to be carried out in Queensland
(about 9 hours later)
The family of an Australian mother and daughter who fell ill and died in Bali have told Balinese authorities not to perform an autopsy on the pair. The Queensland coroner will investigate the deaths of an Australian mother and daughter in Bali.
Noelene Bischoff, 54, and her 14-year-old daughter, Yvana, became violently ill just a day into their holiday in Bali on Saturday and died from what local police suspected may have been food poisoning or an allergic reaction. Noelene Bischoff, 54, and her daughter, Yvana, 14, from the Sunshine Coast, were reported to have become violently ill on Saturday, just a day into their holiday in Bali, and died from what local police suspected may have been food poisoning or an allergic reaction. The family asked that Balinese authorities not perform autopsies.
Managers at the restaurant where the mother and daughter ate that day have also rejected the claim their food may have been the cause. On Tuesday afternoon the Queensland acting attorney general and minister for justice, David Crisafulli, said he had directed the coroner to have the autopsies performed in Queensland.
The family have reportedly disputed the allergy suggestion, saying neither pair had allergies and loved seafood. “Noelene and Yvana Bischoff’s family deserve answers,’’ he said. ‘’They asked us for help and we said yes straight away.
"[We're] fairly concerned because I actually listened to an interview with the head chef from the restaurant from the hotel and he assured everyone that their food was fine," Noelene’s brother, Malcolm Bischoff, told ABC News. "Without a postmortem, you'd be fairly game to suggest something like that, I would think." “They requested that the autopsies be conducted here in Queensland and I have directed the coroner to make that happen. Hopefully, it will shed some light on the cause of this tragedy.”
The Jakarta Post reports the family have requested through consular officials that an autopsy not be conducted by Balinese authorities. Fairfax media reported that the attorney-general, Jarrod Bleijie, knows the Bischoff family through church.
“We should have been able to identify the cause with autopsies,” the Karangasem Police chief detective, Adnan Pandibu, said. “We’ll try discussing this matter further to obtain approval.” Although the Bischoff family asked Indonesian police not to perform the autopsies, under Indonesian law an autopsy can proceed without permission from Tuesday.
Authorities estimate it could take up to two weeks to determine the cause of death but initial investigations show signs of asphyxiation, reports ABC News. Indonesian authorities have said they will speak to Australian consular staff and could decide on Tuesday on whether they will carry out a postmortem.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Guardian Australia it was providing consular assistance to the family. “We should have been able to identify the cause with autopsies,” the Karangasem police chief detective, Adnan Pandibu, told the Jakarta Post. “We’ll try discussing this matter further to obtain approval.”
“The Australian consul general in Bali is in direct personal contact with Balinese authorities to seek information on the actions being taken as a result of these tragic deaths,” said a spokesman. Authorities estimate it could take up to two weeks to determine the cause of death but initial investigations showed signs of asphyxiation, according to ABC News.
The Australian department of foreign affairs and trade told Guardian Australia it was providing consular assistance to the family.
“The Australian consul-general in Bali is in direct personal contact with Balinese authorities to seek information on the actions being taken as a result of these tragic deaths,” a spokesman said.
“Consular officials are maintaining regular contact with family members to ensure that their wishes are conveyed to Balinese authorities and that the family have information on which to base their decisions.”“Consular officials are maintaining regular contact with family members to ensure that their wishes are conveyed to Balinese authorities and that the family have information on which to base their decisions.”
The pair were staying at Padang Bai beach resort in Bali, and staff were alerted to their illness when Yvana ran to tell security staff she and her mother were sick.The pair were staying at Padang Bai beach resort in Bali, and staff were alerted to their illness when Yvana ran to tell security staff she and her mother were sick.
They were taken to a local medical clinic but Noelene died en route. Yvana died a short time later at BIMC hospital in Denpasar. They were taken to a local medical clinic but Noelene died on the way. Yvana died a short time later at BIMC hospital in Denpasar.
“The Australian government extends its sincere condolences to the family of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff, who passed away in Bali early on Saturday morning,” said the Dfat spokesman. “The family have asked that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.” “The Australian government extends its sincere condolences to the family of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff, who passed away in Bali early on Saturday morning,” the department spokesman said. “The family have asked that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.”
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