Family says Quakers Hill stabbing was not love triangle, but domestic violence

The Bulatoko community in northwest Sydney is still in shock following a stabbing incident that occurred at a home on Illabo Street, claiming the lives of two people on Sunday morning.

Speaking on behalf of the Bulatoko community, Bex Patterson, the Director of Lewa Strong, a movement for Pasifika Violence Prevention, says one of the things they want to be clear about is that this incident was not a love triangle.

She says this was a case of domestic violence and stalking behaviour by the accused.

Patterson says the man who also died was not Anaseini Waqavuki’s partner, as previously reported, but an acquaintance of Waqavuki.

She highlighted that Waqavuki’s relationship with the accused ended two months ago, as she was experiencing different forms of violence during their dating period. Patterson says Waqavuki was a lively person who could light up a room when she entered, and they miss her so much.

Insert: Patterson on domestic violence, 30th Dec 25. NN

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.

The 30-year-old associate was found on the footpath outside her Illabo Street home in Quakers Hill with stab wounds to his stomach and hands. He was rushed to hospital but died a few hours later.

Waqavuki was found dead in her kitchen, having suffered multiple stab wounds. Vunitabua requested to appear before the Bail Division Court yesterday 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.