Tragic twist after Sydney chef dies in Bali

Thursday, 19 February 2026 13:28

"All I wanted was the chance to say goodbye and see him one last time."

The brother of a Sydney chef who died in a motorbike crash in Bali has been dealt a fresh blow.

Davide Vulpis was on a holiday with friends last Monday when the tragedy unfolded on the popular Indonesian island.

Originally from Italy, the 35-year-old had been living in Sydney for a year and working at Italian restaurant Cibaria at the Manly Pacific Hotel on the northern beaches.

The Sydney chef died in a motorbike crash in Bali last week.

His devastated family will farewell the chef in Italy at a funeral later this month, but his younger brother Christian will likely be unable to join them to say a final goodbye as he is living in Australia on a Bridging Visa C (BVC).

Under the visa's conditions, if you leave Australia while on a BVC, you will not be able to return on it.

The 29-year-old, who lives in Sydney, fears leaving the country would risk his future with his partner.

"All I wanted was the chance to say goodbye and see him one last time," he told nine.com.au.

"I honestly feel like I'm living in a nightmare.

"I'm not asking for anything more than the chance to say goodbye to my brother.

"Instead, it feels like a part of me has been ripped away."

Christian will likely be unable to join his family at his brother's funeral in Italy.

Christian said his older brother was a very important person in his life who helped him face and overcome his fears "like a true older brother".

"He was full of joy and happiness, and he shared that with everyone around him - friends, relatives, acquaintances, everyone," he said.

"For our family, he was a pillar of strength, always ready to support us and help solve problems, even from far away."

The family has had an outpouring of support since the popular chef's death.

An online fundraiser has raised more than $11,000 for cremation costs in Bali, legal and documentation fees, transportation of his ashes back to Italy and associated funeral consulate expenses.

"He was an extraordinary person, and losing him is a pain that words can't fully explain," he said.

"But his love, his smile, and the memories we shared will stay with us forever.

"We will carry him in our hearts for the rest of our lives."

A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said visa eligibility was based on individual circumstances.

"Bridging visas allow the visa holder to stay lawfully in Australia while they are dealing with the department on a range of matters, including an outstanding visa application or the review of a refused visa application," the spokesperson said.

"People holding an in effect Bridging Visa C are able to depart Australia, however, the BVC will cease on departure, and they will need to obtain another visa to return to Australia.

"The client needs to apply for, and meet the set criteria, to be granted a visa to return to Australia.

"There is no guarantee that another visa will be granted.

"Applications lodged in Australia generally require the applicant to be in Australia at the time of decision.

"Applications lodged outside Australia generally require the applicant to be outside Australia at the time the visa is granted."

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