Criminal Investigation Division detectives under the supervision of Commander Lavata’i Ta’ase Sagapolutele arrested a 21 year old male from Leone in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

This is in connection with the body of a young man discovered in Vailoa on Wednesday morning, says Department of Public Safety Commissioner Save Liuato Tuitele.

Earlier the Commissioner told Samoa News that the body had five stab wounds, however at the scene police did not find any bloodstains or any indication the incident had occurred where the body was found

According to Save, the victim and suspect are both from Leone and the incident is alleged to have occurred because of a dispute over a woman.

The Commissioner says it appears that no drugs were involved and the alleged weapon that was used has not been recovered. The alleged weapon is believed to be a pocketknife.

Save further pointed out that it appears that no one else was involved, however Lavata’i and his detectives are continuing the investigation into this matter.

He told Samoa News the suspect is behind bars on 48 hours detention and he’s yet to be officially charged while the CID works with the Attorney General office and the arrest warrant is prepared.

Efforts to get a comment from Lavata’i on the status of the arrest warrant were unsuccessful and he refused to comment and referred all queries to the Police Commissioner.
Asked if an autopsy was being conducted, the commissioner stated that it’s unclear at the time, however if or when there is a determination an autopsy is needed, it will be done.

Samoa News spoke to one of the witnesses who found the body who stated that while clearing bush near his family residence in Vailoa, a girl came crying to him, asking if he could check on her boyfriend, whom she had found motionless.

The witness told Samoa News that when he checked on the male, his shirt was bloody and when he pulled it up, he saw five stab wounds to the chest. He then contacted the police seeking assistance.

The male was officially pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday afternoon and was identified by a family member. The young male is not married, is from Samoa and works in Leone.