Aunt of former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard murdered in Samoa

A shocking murder has rocked Samoa last month, claiming the life of a prominent lawmaker's family member.

As the Daily Caller reports, Professor Caroline Sinavaiana Gabbard, a well-known writer and academic who was also the aunt of former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, was killed by a noted Samoan novelist and playwright.

Murder details emerge

According to authorities in Samoa, Papalii Sia Figiel had initially been charged with manslaughter in the death of Sinaviana, 78.

However, once additional details of the incident came to light, the charge was upgraded to murder, according to the Samoa Observer.

Samoan Police Service (SPS) Commissioner Auapaau Logoitini Filipo noted, “A hammer is alleged to have been used as well as a small knife that inflicted multiple stab wounds” on the victim during an argument that broke out at a theater located on the suspect's property.

In a sad twist, Sinavaiana Gabbard was known to have been Figiel's mentor and close friend, making the killing all the more tragic and perplexing.

“We do not know what the motive is of the offending,” Filipo acknowledged.

Family remembers loved one

Sinavaiana Gabbard made a name for herself as a professor at the University of Hawaii, and she was part of a family that produced two noted lawmakers, namely, her brother, state Sen. Mike Gabbard and former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

Looking back on his late sister's life, Mike Gabbard recalled the close relationship the two shared while he was growing up.

“Caroline was my best friend as a teenager. She helped me considerably during my rebellious stage of adolescence,” Mike Gabbard remembered.

He continued, “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.”

Surely echoing the sentiments of many who knew and loved his sister, Mike Gabbard added that he has forgiven her killer but is hopeful that justice can be served, and punishment will be meted out “to the full extent of the law.”