UPDATE: A Brighton man found dead in Bali was a self-styled motivational speaker who gave presentations across the world on how to “get rich quick”.
Warren Borsje, 42, from Brighton was found dead by staff after he failed to check out of his room at the Fave Hotel in the popular tourist precinct of Seminyak.
Mr Borsje had claimed he dropped out of school at 13 before going on to create a multimillion-dollar training business in Australia, which he then took overseas.
His website claims his business was “one of the largest of its kind [sic] training and mentoring more than 100,000 people”.
His seminars had been criticised by media, including a journalist from the UK’s Telegraph newspaper who attended one of Borsje’s get-rich-quick seminars in 2013 and wrote that it appeared to be advertising for his other seminars, which charged up to nearly $5000 per person.
Dr Ida Bagus Putu Alit, a forensic doctor in Bali, said external examinations had found signs of asphyxia but a full autopsy would be needed to determine the cause of death.
He said there was no sign of trauma.
Police investigator Dewa Tagel Wijasa said Mr Borsje was last seen by hotel staff on Saturday night.
He was reported to have been drunk at the time and had to be helped to his room by another hotel guest.
Mr Tagel said vitamins, anti-acid and stamina enhancer supplements were found in the room.
“We are yet to check the CCTV to confirm no one else entered his room. But judging from the hotel room nothing was disturbed,” said Mr Tagel. “There was no sign of anyone else in the room.”
He said the Mr Borsje’s wallet and passport were still in the safety deposit box and 1,600,000 Rupiah (about $160) were on the table.
Medical staff received the body at 11pm on Monday night, but Mr Borsje is believed to have died up to 24 hours before the examination.
A spokesman from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said consular assistance was being provided to the Mr Borsje’s family.
Mr Borsje’s Facebook page has been flooded with tributes.
“Absolutely gutted! Warren was an amazing person,” one read while another said: “RIP Warren. You were one of a kind. Very sad day”.
Mr Borsje’s last Facebook post was of a Bali scene on January 18.
His website is full of photographs of him with celebrities, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and former boxer Mike Tyson.
– with Jewel Topsfield and Amilia Rosa
This story first appeared in The Age
