Body of missing Samoa man found

Apia, SAMOA — Samoa police have found the body of 55-year-old Tasi Pologa Tuipeā who went missing last Thursday.

Ministry of Police Prisons and Corrections Services said in a post on its Facebook page that he was pronounced dead upon his discovery.

"Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services confirms that the body of 55-year-old Tasi Pologa Tuipeā has been found," the Ministry's post reads.

"However, we regret to inform that he was pronounced dead when police and emergency services located his body.

"It is suspected that the vehicle he was traveling on may have fallen off the cliff (mako) out at Fagafau.

"We ask the public's patience as police investigation continues into this matter. 

"We convey our sincerest condolences to the grieving families. Faamafanafana tele le Atua  i Aiga faanoanoa."

According to the Ministry, he was last seen last Thursday morning at Samatau-tai. His sighting at Samatau-tai was the last time he was seen in public.