However Denpasar police chief Hadi Purnomo said the witness accounts were yet to lead police to a suspect over the former maritime worker's mysterious death between dawn and midday on Sunday, May 7.

No money or other items were stolen, which has led police to surmise that Mr Richardson knew the perpetrator.

"We don't know if it is a female or male yet. For the time being we suspect just the one person," Mr Hadi said. "I suppose it was someone close, who the victim knew, if not [then] how did that person enter the room?

"The reason I said someone close is because the victim's belongings were all intact, nothing was missing - money, passport, electronics and the victim's jewellery, including his watch, were all there."

Police were digging deeper to find out more information from female friends of Mr Richardson, who had lived on and off in Bali for some time.

"There's plenty, apparently more than one [girlfriend]. Indonesian," Mr Hadi said.

Mr Richardson was found covered in blood on a mattress on Monday after his friend Garry Croker - concerned that he had not seen him for a couple of days - jumped the fence of his villa and discovered his body.

Police say that the scene indicated the assault had started in the bedroom, led to the bathroom and ended up in the living room, where Mr Richardson's body was found.

Mr Richardson, who was known by his nickname 'The Ape', had wounds to his head and upper body and large amounts of blood was found throughout the villa.

Mr Hadi said an autopsy conducted on Thursday found signs of assault including stabbing and blunt force, but Mr Richardson did not die from the head injury: "The cause of death was he was choked, it was because of asphyxiation, which meant he was unable to breathe and died."

Mr Richardson had been living alone in the villa at the time. His partner, Karen East, flew to Bali from Darwin after learning of his death.

Police say the housemaid did not live at the villa and Mr Richardson had only called her when he needed her. "We found no signs of her involvement," Mr Hadi said.

The forensic team was still examining Mr Richardson's mobile phone for clues and continued to interview witnesses. No CCTV footage had been found as yet.

Officers were searching for more witnesses and a reconstruction would also be conducted.

Earlier in the investigation police remarked on oddities in the case, including the fact that the main door had been bolted from the outside, which Mr Richardson could not have done himself. Smashed glass was also found in the villa.

About 10 empty bottles of Bintang beer were on the porch, however Mr Hadi said they appeared to have been from some time ago.

"Because according to the information, the victim was drinking around midnight on Saturday night. According to the forensic doctor the time of death was around dawn to midday [on Sunday]."

Mr Richardson was described as a "hugely respected Darwin Maritime Union of Australia Seafarer", whom many around Australia would know.

"We give our love and support to his partner Karen and family at this difficult and sad time," the Maritime Union of Australia Northern Territory branch posted on Facebook.

"Vale the Ape what a sensational man, one you could count on, always there watching your back or up front at the many picket lines and marches, very proud to call him comrade, one of my mentors. RIP comrade of mine," 'Alan Hopper Paton' wrote on Facebook.