Man tells of deadly Sunday discovery

By Deidre Tautua – Fanene 20 June 2018, 12:00AM

The Police are working on identifying the body of a man who was found dead at the Tiapapata River on Sunday.

When the Samoa Observer visited the area yesterday, a man who gave his name as “Falefa” spoke to the Samoa Observer about the horrific scene he encountered.

“I went on Sunday afternoon to swim there and that’s when I saw a body,” he told the Samoa Observer.

“When I found his body, I couldn’t see his face because it was all covered with maggots. It was smelly too so I called the Ministry of Police and told them."

“The Police was quick to respond and they came and took his body."

“None of us were able to get closer because it was really bad so the Police had to cover the deceased’s body with a tarpaulin so they could carry it up." 

“As you know the river is very far down and by the look of the deceased body, he was probably dead for about three to four days.”

Mr. Falefa said it was such a sad scene.

“It’s scary and sad,” he said.

“I hope the Police will be able to identify who he is because I’m sure his family is probably worried to death."

“I don’t know who he is and I’m sure he is not from around here because if he was, we would have known because his family would be looking for him."

“It’s just sad and I have only seen such things in movies, but now it’s happening here in Samoa too."

“May this man’s soul rest in peace and hopefully the hospital and Police will be able to find out how he got here and his identity.”

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Police, the deceased’s body was found around 4pm on Sunday.

“Officers at the scene found the body in a decomposing state,” said the statement.

“They discovered that the person has been dead between two to three days."

“We are still conducting our investigations and the deceased’s body is yet to be confirmed."

“A scene examination has been carried out and Police enquiries are ongoing.”

By Deidre Tautua – Fanene 20 June 2018, 12:00AM
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