Top boxer linked to killing

FATAL BRAWL: Indonesian top-ranked middleweight boxer Andreas Seran has been accused of bashing to death Kiwi Sean Headifen.

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One of the men accused of bashing a New Zealander to death during a brawl in a Bali nightclub is a champion boxer.

The family of 22-year-old Sean Headifen were shocked at the news last night. It came as a double blow after they were told it would cost $8000 to bring Mr Headifen home.

Mr Headifen, a former soldier, was allegedly attacked by 29-year-old Indonesian top- ranked middleweight boxer Andreas Seran at the Bounty Disco in Kuta early on Sunday.

He suffered head and internal injuries and died in his hotel room about 6.30am that day.

Family friend Colette Drew said officials had told the family they needed to pay about $8000 to bring Mr Headifen back to Palmerston North. "What's going to happen to him if we can't afford to get him home?"

Seran, along with Doni Suastika, 30, and Nengah Suastika, 34, a bartender and security staff member, are in custody.

Police said Seran was drunk and became involved in the fight. CCTV footage from the bar showed the men beating Mr Headifen and throwing bottles and glasses at him.

Witnesses, including Mr Headifen's girlfriend Sarah Whitburn, who tried to stop the brawl by jumping on the shoulders of one of the attackers, have also identified the men.

Miss Whitburn, 19, was due to leave Indonesia yesterday for her home town of Palmerston North.

It was still unknown yesterday when the body of Mr Headifen, who served as a peacekeeper in East Timor, would return home.

Mrs Drew said the family was feeling desperate knowing that his body was in a hospital morgue in Bali, and they wanted him brought home.

"Why can't the Government bring him home and bill us later?" she said.

"We just need to get our boy home."

The Foreign Affairs Ministry pointed to advice on its website, which says that all costs associated with the death of a New Zealander overseas, including the repatriation of remains and the return of personal effects, were the responsibility of next-of-kin.

- © Fairfax NZ News