University of Hawaii professor Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard, aunt to former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, was killed in Samoa.
According to The New York Post, the 78-year-old was found dead on May 25 inside the home of Samoan playwright Papalii Sia Figiel. Sinaviana-Gabbard was allegedly stabbed and beaten severely with a hammer in a confrontation with Figiel whom she reportedly mentored.
Figiel, 57, allegedly fled to a friend’s house after the fight before she was eventually arrested, Spectrum News reports. Samoa police commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said at a news conference that Figiel has been charged with murder.
Sinaviana-Gabbard’s family told Hawaii News Now that she was the first person of Samoan ancestry to become a full professor in the United States. She was also a distinguished writer and environmental activist.
Her brother Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard said his sister helped him through his rebellious teenage years.
“I owe Caroline a lot,” he told Hawaii News Now. “Caroline, she just always come and take me aside, ‘Mike just calm down. Just, here, why don’t you read this book?’ She got me into reading.”
The family learned that Figiel was a suspect through the media.
“While we had forgiven her, we still want justice to be carried out. That’s the best thing to do,” state Sen. Gabbard said per Hawaii News Now.
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I am a friend of Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbord who lives in Maine, USA. I am deeply shocked by this terrible news of her death. I would greatly appreciate any further news as this story unfolds.