The family of an Australian woman named as a suspect in the murder of a Bali policeman say she is a loving mother.

Byron Bay mother-of-two Sara Connor and her British boyfriend David James Taylor are being questioned about the death of local police officer Wayan Sudarsa, whose bloodied body was found on a Kuta beach early on Wednesday.

His face was battered and the remains of a beer bottle were found near his head.

The pair remain in custody and face three alternate charges: murder, manslaughter and assault causing death.

Murder convictions could see them jailed for 15 years.

The Australian woman’s shocked family has issued a statement in her defence, saying the 45-year-old is a good mother who loves her two boys, 9 and 11, more than anything.

“The accusations laid against her are totally out of character for this beautiful person,” the family said in a statement.

“Her love for her boys is the biggest love in her life. She is very passionate about life and exudes enthusiasm wherever she goes.”

The pair has already returned to the beach with police to describe what happened on the night the officer died.

Kuta Beach, where the body was found.

Ms Connor and Mr Taylor have also been subjected to forensic examinations, and the Australian mother has been to hospital for an examination of leg wounds she said she suffered on the night the officer died.

Ms Connor’s lawyer Erwin Siregar, who also represented Schapelle Corby, has told reporters Ms Connor has signed a document allowing her detention for the next 20 days, but that can be extended to 100 days.

He says his client and Mr Taylor had been at a restaurant drinking beer before going to the beach together on Wednesday night.

But he said Ms Connor was not drunk, and there was no suggestion of drugs being involved.

Mr Siregar said Connor had arrived in Bali on Tuesday and Taylor met her at the airport, where they bought beer before returning to the man’s homestay.

“Then they are going to the restaurant, she drank a beer, and then they are going to the beach with two beer bottles, one each,” he said.

Mr Siregar said the man and woman had been kissing on the beach after arriving at 11pm and leaving around 3am.

“No, no, no, no drugs involved,” he told media outside the Denpasar police station, where the pair is being held.

Mr Sudarsa was found dead on Kuta Beach in the early hours of Wednesday morning with 42 wounds to his body, including to his head and neck.

Mr Sudarsa’s family is expected to cremate his remains on Sunday.