Apia, SAMOA — The Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services (SPPCS) are appealing for public assistance in locating the whereabouts of a 77-year-old man from Asau in Savaii while a 15-year-old girl who went missing last month has not been found.

Tautaifau Kipaoa Faavesi went missing from his home on Friday, April 14, 2023. According to police, he went missing at approximately 9am in the morning.

"He was last seen leaving home for his plantation wearing a black stripe shirt and a black ie," the police notice reads.

If anyone has any information regarding Tautaifau’s whereabouts, please contact Samoa police.

Meanwhile, it has been over a month days since a 15-year-old girl from Vailele was reported to be missing by her family.

Police on March 28 also took to social media to seek public assistance in locating Maryanne Loia as her family were concerned for her safety.

She has been missing from her home since Friday 10 March, 2023. The young girl left home with one of her friends at noon and has not returned since.

There has been a marked increase in the number of children going missing in recent months in Samoa and according to Police reports, there have been seven cases of missing children reported between March 2023 and December 2022. 

Parents have also expressed publicly, their concerns regarding children going missing with some pointing at poor parenting at home.

Read more at Samoa Observer