Tragedy at PRB Flats: Couple found dead in suspected murder-suicide in April

A couple were found dead at the new Lagilagi Public Rental Board Flats today and it is alleged at this stage that it was a murder suicide case.

Police told fijivillage News that officers were responding to a case of alleged domestic disturbance at the mentioned location as the couple were arguing.

Police say upon arrival, they found the two victims in what is initially an alleged murder suicide.

When fijivillage News reached the crime scene after receiving a tip-off, the area was cordoned off by police and it is understood that the bodies were still inside the house.

Neighbours were still in a state of shock as they were all asked to evacuate the area.

Stay with us for developments.

Residents of the Tovata Flats at the new Lagilagi Housing in Raiwaqa are still reeling in shock following an alleged stabbing and suicide incident that claimed two lives on Sunday.

Neighbours who first responded to the scene told fijivillage News that they are still traumatised by the events that unfolded.

One neighbour recounted that they were busy with their morning chores and, due to the loud 10am Raiwaqa Pentecostal Church service, no one initially heard any cries for help.

The neighbour, who is originally from Vanua Levu says she was chasing her son outside when she encountered the daughter of the woman who had been stabbed, crying for assistance.

She rushed to the house and found the woman covered in blood, while her husband was allegedly still strangling her on the floor.

Fearing for her safety, she ran back home to seek her brother’s help and when her brother entered the house, he attempted to negotiate with the attacker to put the knife away but he was unsuccessful as the man threatened him with the weapon.

Meanwhile, the neighbour managed to save the couple's 8-month-old baby, who was nearly drowning in the sink during the chaos.

She says her brother later climbed up the fire exit steps to try and intervene, but saw the man take his own life.

Despite their efforts to save the woman, she succumbed to her injuries due to the severity of the stab wounds.

Police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and they are awaiting the results of the post mortem examination.

Following serious concerns that due to the loud noises from a church service at Lagilagi Housing resulted in a girl’s desperate plea for help not being heard, Minister for Local Government Maciu Nalumisa says discussions should be held with the churches to lower their volume.

While responding to questions by fijivillage News following the tragic murder suicide on Sunday, Nalumisa says the incident in Lagilagi happened on a normal church service day.

He says this is something that needs to be discussed with the churches as it is near a residential area.

One neighbour recounted that they were busy with their morning chores and, due to the loud 10am Raiwaqa Pentecostal Church service, no one initially heard any cries for help.

The neighbour, who is originally from Vanua Levu says she was chasing her son outside when she encountered the daughter of the woman who had been stabbed, crying for assistance.

She rushed to the house and found the woman covered in blood, while her husband was allegedly still strangling her on the floor.

Fearing for her safety, she ran back home to seek her brother’s help and when her brother entered the house, he attempted to negotiate with the attacker to put the knife away but he was unsuccessful as the man threatened him with the weapon.

Meanwhile, the neighbour managed to save the couple's 8-month-old baby, who was nearly drowning in the sink during the chaos.

She says her brother later climbed up the fire exit steps to try and intervene, but saw the man take his own life.

Despite their efforts to save the woman, she succumbed to her injuries due to the severity of the stab wounds.

Police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and they are awaiting the results of the post mortem examination.

Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Luke Rokovada has strongly condemned the tragic death of Sainimere Tuinasakea, a dedicated civil servant from the Department of Immigration, who has sadly lost her life in another heartbreaking incident of domestic and gender-based violence in Fiji.

Chairman Rokovada emphasized the PSC’s unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of its employees and is committed to introducing and implementing gender-based prevention policies and will immediately initiate a mandatory training programme for all public servants to enhance awareness, prevention and support mechanisms within the workforce.

Rokovada says the Public Service upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy against gender-based violence in all forms.

The PSC Chair states that this incident in Lagilagi Housing underscores the urgent need for continued action and awareness across all sectors of society.

He says no one should ever have to endure such violence.

The Public Service extends its condolences to Sainimere Tuinasakea’s family, friends and colleagues during this extremely difficult time.

He says any public servants experiencing domestic violence are strongly encouraged to reach out for help via the toll-free line 1560.

The Public Service Commission is calling on all citizens to stand together in addressing this growing issue and to support initiatives aimed at preventing domestic violence and protecting our women and girls.

Following serious concerns regarding the repeated loud noise in residential areas after a loud church service at Lagilagi Housing resulted in a girl’s desperate plea for help not being heard, Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa says the Public Rental Board has met with the church executives to contain the noise coming up from the churches so the residents can enjoy peace when they are in their own respective flats.

He highlighted this while responding to questions by fijivillage News on loud noise in residential areas following the tragic murder-suicide on Sunday where the plea for the victim’s daughter could not be heard due to loud 10am Raiwaqa Pentecostal Church service.

Nalumisa says the Ministry does not have any power to reduce the noise level and the people have to file a complaint with the police.

He says for those living near churches and suffering due to loud noise, it is about time they report it to the police if the noise is considered a disturbance.

Nalumisa says the decibel level should be just loud enough to convey the message to church members, but excessive noise is unnecessary.