Suspected suicide found at Blunts Point

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Emergency Medical Services (EMS) reports it recovered a body at Blunts Point in Gataivai on Tuesday afternoon.

This was confirmed by EMS Chief Galumalemana Popo Avegalio in response to Samoa News questions.

“I can confirm our team picked up a body and it is believed that it’s a suicide case, but the Police are investigating this matter.” 

It is believed to be a young man in his 20s, according to Galumalemana.

“He was found hanging at the top of Blunts Point and that’s all I can say for now.”

Chief of Police Pouu’amea Tuaolo Supapo confirmed the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is currently investigating the death.

“It is premature to make comments on this matter now, as this case is being investigated by CID Detectives, therefore I cannot comment.

“Once the investigation is complete, we will be able to release public comments, but not now,” she told Samoa News.

Put to the Chief of Police whether this case is being treated as a homicide until otherwise determined, the Chief again declined to comment. 

The EMS Chief told Samoa News they received a call from the dispatcher about this matter after 3p.m on Tuesday.

“So I rushed to the Tafuna headquarters to put together a team to respond to the call. This happened a few hours after we transported the second body from the palolo hunting drowning that occurred on Monday night,” said Galumalemana.

 As reported yesterday, two men, who were out palolo hunting, drowned at sea when they fell overboard from their alia.

Search and Rescue director, Faamasino Upuese Galoia confirmed the incident in response to questions from Samoa News.

 “The men fell overboard at the head of the airport [runway]. The first body was found the same night, and the second body was found [Tuesday] morning around 11a.m,” he said.