The dream of seeing his two children after being away for three years from his family has been cut short for Epineri Naitini, who was allegedly stabbed to death in north-west Sydney on December 28.
Naitini was found by Police on a footpath, suffering from apparent stab wounds to his stomach and hands.
He was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition, but later died from his injuries.
Speaking to fijivillage News, his wife, Elisapeci Marama Naitini, says her husband was planning to bring her to Australia, but this was cut short after his death.
She says Epineri went to Australia on a study visa in December 2022 and was studying at a university there.
Elisapeci says she heard the sad news on Sunday night around 8pm from her sister-in-law, who lives in Australia.
She adds that her husband loved them very dearly, as he used to call every day to ask how their two children were.
She says her husband also sent money to them every weekend, and due to the high cost of living in Australia and his studies, he could not visit them often.
Elisapeci says they have two beautiful girls together — one is six years old, while the youngest is two.
She also highlighted that her husband was living in the same house as the second victim, but they were in different apartments.
She says her husband had promised them that he would return in December this year, but he is now returning in a casket.
She adds that her husband will be brought back to Fiji and laid to rest at the Nasinu Cemetery.
She says the relatives of Anaseini Waqavuki, the second victim, had shared that her former partner always threatened any men who got close to Waqavuki.
Meanwhile, 47-year-old Anare Vunitabua has been charged with murder in connection with the pair’s deaths.
Vunitabua allegedly killed his former partner, Anaseini Waqavuki, and her associate on Sunday morning.
Waqavuki was found dead in her kitchen, having suffered multiple stab wounds.
Vunitabua requested to appear before the Bail Division Court on Tuesday morning, however the magistrate declined to bring him in, as it was not necessary.
Vunitabua did not apply for bail and will remain in custody ahead of his next hearing in February 2026 at the Downing Centre Local Court.
NSW Police Superintendent Jason Joyce on Sunday indicated the alleged stabbings were domestic violence-related.
Superintendent Joyce described the scene as “traumatic” and “confronting” for emergency services and neighbours.
A knife has also been recovered from a service station on Richmond Road in Woodcroft.
