Noosa man’s naked Indonesia rampage could have been caused by ‘poisoning’ or ‘black magic’

An Aussie’s alleged naked Indonesia rampage could have been caused by “black magic”, according to a man familiar with the area.

A 23-year-old Noosa man’s alleged naked Indonesia rampage could have been caused by “poisoning” or “black magic”, according to an Aussie who used to live on the isolated island of Simeulue.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, was taken into custody in the Indonesian province of Aceh after allegedly terrorising a conservative beach village on the tiny North Sumatran island around midnight on Thursday.

The man who built the first house for surf camps on the island, Brian Willy, lived there for eight years from 1999 to 2007.

He expressed his concern over the incident and referred to strange happenings on the island, including meeting a young Perth man who was found by a fisherman swimming six nautical miles to the next island in 2000, and who he said “was never the same”.

“It’s a Muslim environment, so you have to respect the rules, but they’re not squeaky clean either,” he said via the Courier Mail.

“It’s a famous place for marijuana.

“But when I heard about this guy (Mr Risby-Jones) the first thing that came to my mind was black magic.”

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, was taken into custody in the Indonesian province of Aceh after allegedly terrorising a conservative beach village on the tiny North Sumatran island.

“Black magic is basically poisoning, and it sends them crazy. They (local residents) might put it in your coffee or tea,” Mr Willy continued.

“They poison people by making up a potion or something. There is a lot of black magic going on since after Covid because people think they can make money out of it.”

Risby-Jones blamed “sunstroke” and ”not drinking enough water” as well as consuming alcohol for the alleged incident during which he allegedly ran out of the resort naked and assaulted a number of people, including a security guard.

He also allegedly injured a motorcyclist who is recovering in hospital after receiving 50 stitches in his leg.

Mr Willy said he once saw “public flogging” which he believed could be part of Mr Risby-Jones’ punishment.

“It disgusted me and I had to walk away,” he said.

“It was a couple that had committed adultery and all the locals were there, even kids.

“They were all cheering the guy with his big stick, saying ‘Yeah, hit her, hit her’ and I just thought ‘that’s so barbaric’ you know, and I walked away.”

Noosa man Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones facebook picture, Mr Jones has been arrested on the Indonesian island of Aceh for drunkenness and injuring two people. Picture: Facebook

An Indonesian Specialist at the University of the Sunshine Coast said black magic “is well practised in Indonesia, and some parts of Indonesia more so than other areas”.

“Their belief system in black magic in their culture is really big, it’s a very big strong belief,” Dr Inez Mahony said.

“Where I did my research in East Java, that area was renowned for black magic.

“You never know if they did put some kind of actual real substance in their drink, but I’ve not heard of them doing that. But you never know if that could be part of the black magic in that area, like using the roots or something, or mushrooms.

“But it depends on your belief system, but some things are unexplainable.”

Simeulue Moon Beach Resort in Lantik, Aceh, was the accommodation venue Noosa man Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones was staying at until his drunken rampage landed him in jail.

Images of Risby-Jones’ 3m x 3m cell have emerged, showing a bed in a tightly enclosed area where the Queensland carpenter awaits his fate.

He is being kept behind bars, with a sleeping space and a tiny toilet around the corner.

The Noosa man has claimed he was “almost possessed” during the alleged incident.

“I got hit a lot of times on the ground, people kicked my head … make me forget a bit,” he told the ABC.

“But like I’m a really nice in heart, I never want to hurt people, never … so it was very out of character for me.”

The first images have emerged of the Indonesian cell where Queensland man Bodhi Risby-Jones is being held.

Mr Risby-Jones, who was on a surfing holiday from Noosa in Queensland, is now facing charges under Article 351 of the Indonesian penal code.

He faces a maximum five years in prison if he is convicted of maltreatment resulting in serious physical injury.

He could also face charges under Islamic law, as the consumption and sale of alcohol is banned in Aceh.