A prominent Samoan author and playwright has been charged with murdering the aunt of Tulsi Gabbard, the former Hawaii Democratic congresswoman, according to multiple reports.
Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, was arrested Sunday following the death in Samoa of 78-year-old Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard, a retired former University of Hawaii professor.
The victim was stabbed multiple times and beaten with a hammer, according to local news reports. l
Samoa is a country located in the South Pacific Ocean.
The incident took place May 25 at Figiel’s home in the village of Vaivase-Uta, about three miles from the island nation’s capital city of Apia. Figiel’s property also doubles as the local theater, the New Zealand Herald reports.
An argument had broken out between the pair before the incident turned violent, said Samoan Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo. It is not clear what sparked the argument.
The two women were colleagues and friends, and Gabbard was Figiel’s mentor, according to local media reports.
Sinaviana-Gabbard was Tulsi Gabbard’s aunt and sister of Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard.
