Coroner orders autopsy for murder victim

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Samoa coroner has recommended a post-mortem examination on the body of 78-year-old Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard who lost her life in a tragic homicide two weekends ago.

This was confirmed by the Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo in an interview with the Samoa Observer.

He added that the perpetrator, Papalii Sia Figel will remain in police custody until her first court appearance on 11 June (next week).

"The coroner has ordered a post-mortem on the body of the deceased victim so we will do that but the accused will remain in custody until her first court appearance," he said.

The police will have to await the arrival of the forensic pathologist from Fiji to do the examination as the post is yet to be filled. Until then, the body of the deceased will not be released to her family members.

The late Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard, a historian, environmentalist, and retired Professor from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa was the victim in the murder for which playwright and poet Papalii Sia Figiel is charged.

Read more in The Observer