Australian Sex Offender Found Dead in Bali Hotel

A 77-year-old Australian man with a criminal history of sexual offenses against minors was discovered dead in his hotel room in East Denpasar on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Kenneth Leslie Sternes, a retired pharmacist, was found unresponsive at the Cove Griya Elite Hotel after staff forced entry when he failed to check out as scheduled.

Discovery and Initial Investigation

Hotel staff discovered Sternes' body at approximately 3:00 pm lying on the floor of his room, clad only in underwear. Police and medical personnel were immediately called to the scene, and Sternes was pronounced dead at the location.

According to initial police findings reported by RadarBali.com, there were no visible signs of violence on the body or in the room. However, investigators noted evidence of a recent medical injection and a catheter worn by the deceased. Officers also secured two mobile phones, a wallet, passport, identity documents, and medications including insulin from the room.

Police found no signs of violence in the room or on the body of the deceased, though medical equipment and insulin medications were discovered.

Criminal Background

Sternes had a documented history of child sexual abuse offenses in Australia. In 2011, he was convicted and sentenced to 13 months imprisonment in Queensland for sexually grooming a 14-year-old girl and eight counts of exposing a child under 16 to indecent material.

The discovery raises ongoing concerns about convicted sex offenders traveling to Southeast Asia, where weak law enforcement coordination and minimal vetting procedures have historically created gaps in monitoring.

Ongoing Examination

The deceased's body was transferred to a local hospital for further medical examination and processing. Authorities have not yet released official cause of death findings. The investigation remains ongoing as Indonesian authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.

This report is based on information originally published by Bali Discovery and RadarBali.com.