Missing reporter found dead

Luh De Suryani ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Denpasar   |  Tue, 02/17/2009 1:43 PM  |  Bali

The body of Anak Agung Prabangsa, 41, a journalist for Radar Bali daily newspaper who was reported missing five days ago, was found floating off the coast of Padangbai village, Karangasem, on Monday.

Officials said Prabangsa's body was found at 9:40 a.m. Monday by the captain of Perdana Nusantara, a transport boat, who immediately reported it to the police.

The police confirmed his identity through a driver's license that was in the pants he was wearing.

The cause of death remains unknown, but early observations indicate that Prabangsa suffered a head injury. However, the police declined to declare the injury as the cause of death.

"We can't be sure that the injury was caused by a deliberate blow. It's impossible to confirm such a thing by just looking at the body," said Sr. Comr. Gde Sugianyar Dwi Putra, head of public relations at Bali Police, at Sanglah Hospital on Monday.

Police said Prabangsa's remains had been taken to Sanglah Hospital for an autopsy and the results would be released soon.

Prabangsa's death came as a shock to many journalists who had worked by his side. Journalists working at the Bali Police office in Denpasar were among the first to receive the news.

Concern over Prabangsa's fate began brewing after his family, together with Radar Bali representatives, reported Prabangsa's disappearance to the police last Thursday.

Radar Bali editor-in-chief Justin Herman, said his last contact with Prabangsa was Wednesday afternoon. Prabangsa apparently did not tell any journalist at his office where he went.

It was later discovered that he had gone to his mother's house in Taman Bali village, Bangli, to drop off his motorcycle. He left soon after arriving, without notifying anyone.

Justin said he saw no reason why Prabangsa would not tell anyone where he was going or why anyone would want to harm him.

"There's nothing suspicious about his journalistic activities. He is more of an editor than he is a reporter," Justin said.

"If anything happened, he would have immediately told his family and friends."

Justin said Prabangsa death was a major mystery and urged the police to quickly resolve the case for the sake of his family.

Prabangsa is survived by two sons and a wife, Sagung Mas Prihantini.

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