Chris Packer (c. 1953 – 1 September 2013) was an Australian from

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...

, Western Australia who in 2004 narrowly escaped the death penalty when arrested in

Bali, Indonesia Bali () is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nu ...

for suspected

arms smuggling Arms trafficking or gunrunning is the illicit trade of contraband small arms and ammunition, which constitutes part of a broad range of illegal activities often associated with transnational Criminal Organizations, criminal organizations. The il ...

. Police arrested Packer after finding undeclared weapons aboard his 53m cargo ship, "Lissa", registered in Avatiu. A veteran sailor, Packer has competed in several

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is an annual event hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, starting in Sydney, New South Wales, on Boxing Day and finishing in Hobart, Tasmania. The race distance is approximately . The race is run i ...

s and was embarking on a round the world sailing tour at the time of his arrest. He went into a coma, having had a heart attack on 29 April 2006 but is said to have come out of it weeks later, showing signs of recovery.

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Aussie Sailor held in Bali Jail
Australian sailors People from Perth, Western Australia 2013 deaths Year of birth uncertain {{Australia-yachtracing-bio-stub