Papalii Sia Figiel, a prominent Samoan author and playwright, has been charged with the murder of Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard, the aunt of former Hawaii Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. The victim was stabbed multiple times and beaten with a hammer.
Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, was arrested on Sunday following the death of 78-year-old Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard in Samoa. Sinaviana-Gabbard, a retired former University of Hawaii professor, was found with multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma to the head.
Police in Samoa said that the deadly incident took place on 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 doubles as a local theater.
According to Samoan Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo, an argument had broken out between Sinaviana-Gabbard and Figiel before the incident turned violent. It is unclear what sparked the argument.
The victim and Figiel were colleagues and friends, and Figiel was Sinaviana-Gabbard's mentor.
Sinaviana-Gabbard was Tulsi Gabbard's aunt and the sister of Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard. Her family said she was the first Samoan to become a full professor in the United States, and she was also an accomplished writer, teacher, and environmental activist.
Mike Gabbard said he was heartbroken over the loss of his sister. "Caroline was my best friend as a teenager," he said in a statement. "She helped me considerably during my rebellious stage of adolescence. She got me hooked on reading, so much so that I followed in her footsteps and majored in English at Sonoma State University in California, then returned to our birthplace, American Samoa, where I taught English in high schools and was a faculty member, guidance counselor, and dean at the community college for many years."
"I love her deeply and wish her well as she continues her journey," he added.
Mike Gabbard went on to say that he forgives the person responsible for his sister's death, but hopes justice will be served and that the person "will be punished to the full extent of the law."
According to Spectrum News, Sinaviana-Gabbard earned undergraduate degrees in English and psychology from Sonoma State University, a master's degree in folklore from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in American studies from the University of Hawaii.
She taught Pacific literature at the University of Hawaii for over 20 years before retiring.
A spokesperson for Tulsi Gabbard's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Samoa is a country located in the South Pacific Ocean.
