Why I tipped off Balinese authorities about my ex-husband's visa - landing him in a jail cell where he took his own life: Wife reveals harrowing truth

Published: 16:14, 22 July 2026 | Updated: 16:14, 22 July 2026 The Indonesian ex-wife of a Perth dad who died by suicide in a Bali detention cell has revealed the desperation that led her to tip off immigration about his visa breach. Cameron Hughes, 39, died on July 10 after he was found unresponsive inside the toilet of his cell where he was being held before deportation back to Australia. Bali police confirmed Mr Hughes' suicide and said his ex-wife Indah told officials the father of her eight-year-old son had breached his visa after their marriage ended in 2024. But on Wednesday, Indah revealed she only alerted authorities in 2025 after years of physical, verbal and emotional abuse as his substance addiction caused him to spiral. She said she repeatedly tried to end the relationship after being concerned by the growing number of red flags - but he would only threaten to kill himself.  'I felt that I could not live peacefully or safely, even after our marriage had legally ended,' said Indah, who runs a spa in Jimbaran, south of Kuta. 'He did not accept the separation and continued to contact me, come back into my life, make threats, and monitor or track me.  'Eventually, after years of trying to manage the situation after our separation, I contacted immigration authorities. My intention was not to push him away. Ex-wife Indah tipped officials off about Cameron Hughes' visa breach after years of living in fear from his physical, verbal and emotional abuse. They are pictured together Cameron Hughes, 39, died after he was found unresponsive inside the toilet of an Indonesian immigration detention cell An immigration officer found Cameron Hughes unconscious in the toilet of his cell (above) 'I believed that creating physical distance between us might give everyone the space needed to move forward - and allow him to seek help without continuing to disrupt my life and my son's life.' Indah said their relationship was great at first but began to crumble as his struggle with addiction took over and his behaviour became 'increasingly dangerous'. 'In the beginning, he was very sweet and attentive,' she said. 'He seemed loving and caring, and I never imagined how difficult our relationship would eventually become. 'Not long after we started our relationship, I began to notice red flags. I tried to end the relationship several times, but each time he threatened to take his own life. 'I tried to support him and encouraged him to seek professional help, but unfortunately, his addiction became stronger than his willingness or ability to change.' Indah said she felt trapped and frightened, but continued to give him another chance as she believed he might change.  'I kept forgiving him and hoping that things would get better,' she said. 'Looking back, I realise I was holding on to the person I believed he could become, rather than accepting the reality of what was happening. Indah said she is now focused on creating a 'safe, stable, and peaceful life' for the young son she shares with Mr Hughes (pictured above) He said he wanted to be remembered as a father and husband who believed in second chances 'I believed that ending the marriage would finally allow me and my son to have some peace and move forward with our lives.'  Indah said she repeatedly asked for help, but said she was told 'in essence, that I either had to help him or leave him'. 'This has been an incredibly difficult and exhausting journey,' she added. 'I am not sharing my story to attack or shame anyone.  'I simply want people to understand that there is often a much deeper and more complicated story behind what the public sees. 'I spent years trying to help someone I loved. I gave chances, I forgave, I encouraged professional help, and I hoped things would change.  'I also had to learn, painfully, that I could not save someone who was not able to save themselves.' Indah last week apologised to dozens of customers of Mr Hughes' car restoration business after they claimed he left them with a series of unfinished, unroadworthy and damaged cars. Mr Hughes, a former Perth panel beater who lived in Bali for 15 years, ran Holden Resto Bali until it closed down in December. A dedicated Facebook page has been launched for Mr Hughes' customers to share their horror stories after receiving unfinished and unroadworthy cars from him In a Facebook post after his death, Indah told his customers she hoped they could 'find it in (their) hearts to forgive him'.  'I humbly ask for your forgiveness for any mistakes, hurt, or wrongs he may have caused during his lifetime,' Indah said. Customers of the business have now set up a Facebook group, Holden Resto Bali Horror Stories, to share their experiences with Mr Hughes and his company. Another group has also been set up to help customers recover their vehicle or parts, with many fearing they have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in unfinished work. While Mr Hughes denied scamming anyone, he reportedly apologised in a message sent two days prior to his death.  'I also need to apologise… to everyone for my stupid behaviour in recent times. A lot of it caused by stress, confusion and hitting the turps,' he said. Mr Hughes gave customers numerous excuses for delays, including kidney stones, ulcers, breaking his nose slipping in the bath, and being given the wrong medication by doctors  He also wrote a social media post about how he wished to be remembered.  Bali Police shared CCTV of Hughes in his cell (above) shortly before he died In the post, Hughes said he wanted to be remembered as a 'father and husband that loved his son and wife unconditionally'. 'I want to be remembered as someone that gives second chances to people, as I am grateful for the second chances people have given me over the years,' he wrote. 'Despite the challenges I've faced throughout my life, I've managed to smash through them all.  'I'm proud to be recognised as self-made, I started from nothing, and I've built a comfortable life for my family.' Last week, Indonesian authorities confirmed they began investigating Hughes when he obtained a new passport with only a tourist visa. He had previously been allowed to stay in the country while married on a Indonesian permanent residency KITAP permit, but that was voided when he and his wife split up. He was put back on a tourist visa but he had overstayed that by 98 days, and was also in breach of the regulations by running a business while on a visitor visa. His deportation meant he would have been blacklisted from re-entering Bali for at least six months, and possibly years, authorities said. If this story affected you, contact Lifeline 13 11 14  or 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732