Former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard remembered her late aunt who was allegedly murdered by her protégé, a renowned author, in Samoa last month, saying the brutal killing had “shocked our family.”
“I want to thank everyone who sent kind messages of prayer and condolences following the tragic murder of my aunt in Samoa,” Gabbard said in a tribute posted to social media on Tuesday.
Caroline Sinabiana Gabbard was found dead on May 25 at the home of award-winning Samoan author Papalii Sia Figiel in the village of Vaivase Uta.
Figiel, 57, is accused of stabbing Sinabiana-Gabbard multiple times with a knife and then hitting her with a hammer during a heated argument.
The fatal confrontation took place between the two women alone inside Figiel’s home, which doubles as the local theatre, Garmoana Theatre. According to local reports.
“My Aunt Caroline was my father’s only sister and the only relative I had living in Hawaii when I was growing up,” the former congressman said. stated in the post A video collage of family photos was played while Tagata’s “Oute Alofa” played.
“I spent a lot of time as a child at her vacation home deep in Manoa Valley, where she would often share her poetry with me and encourage me to pursue my own creative endeavors,” she added.
Tulsi Gabbard, 43, was born in American Samoa and moved to Hawaii with her family when she was two years old.
When she was sworn in to represent Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District in 2013, she became the first Samoan-American member of Congress with voting rights.
Sinabiana Gabbard is a poet and former professor at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, and the sister of Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard, Tulsi’s father.
“Caroline was my best friend when we were teenagers,” Mike Gabbard said in a statement. Spectrum News. “I love her deeply and wish her the best as she continues her journey.”
Sinaivaiana Gabbard taught creative writing at the University of Hawaii for nearly 20 years and was an associate professor of Pacific literature at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Samoa News.
Tulsi Gabbard, one of the leading contenders to be Donald Trump’s running mate, said the “horrific death” of her aunt has “shocked” her family.
“The news of her horrific death has come as a shock to our family. We miss her, cherish the happy memories we had together, and pray for her. Life is short, so embrace your loved ones and make the most of every day you are blessed with,” Gabbard concluded.
After the murder, Fiegel reportedly fled the scene to a friend’s house before turning himself in to police.
The renowned Samoan author and authoritative playwright was initially charged with manslaughter, but a police investigation resulted in the charge being increased.
Local media reported that the two were involved in the literary world and were close friends.
Many reports have described Sinaviaiana Gabbard as Figiel’s mentor.
