Two suspects into death of 8-year-old girl remanded as police awaits medical report

Two male suspects from Malaita Province were arrested and remanded in Police custody in Gizo, Western Province following the death of an eight year old girl whose dead body was discovered in a swamp at Kolombangara island, Western Province this week.

Assistant Commissioner Crime and Intelligence Patricia Leta confirmed this in a media conference today.

Mrs Leta says, Police at Gizo arrested the suspects and are currently on remand for 14 days as Police continue to gather evidence into what they described as ‘suspicious death.’

“Currently, their remand is ongoing and Police continue to collect evidence. Advices will come later which will provide appropriate charges to be laid against the suspects,” Mrs Leta says. 

She says, Police are also awaiting the Doctor’s examination report to ascertain the deceased’s actual cause of death.

 She adds, the medical report will form part of the case which will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice on appropriate charges to be laid against the suspects.

”At the moment, we are yet to receive the Doctor’s report, therefore, I could not tell to ascertain whether the alleged rape was involved prior to the deceased’s death and we are now waiting for the report,” Mrs Leta says. 

The Assistant Commissioner at this stage could not tell whether the two suspects are residing or working in the province.

Initial report stated that the deceased told her elder siblings on their way home from Sausepe Primary School on 14th October and as they walked together, she said that she was hungry and started to run ahead of them to quickly reach home.

 When her siblings arrived home, they did not see her and that is when they alerted their parents, and a search was then conducted.

 The deceased’s body was discovered on the 18th of this month.

In his statement yesterday, Prime Minister Sogavare described the sad incident as heartbreaking and strongly urges relevant authorities to work together to ensure the perpetrators face the full force of the law.

“It was very painful to hear the news of the alleged killing of this innocent soul. I am lost for words. This is heartbreaking indeed and I extend my prayers and deepest condolences to the family, school mates and relatives of this innocent soul,” the Prime Minister says.

Meanwhile, the Western Provincial Council of Women is working on a petition against the alleged killing of the old girl in Western province.

President of the organization Rendy Solomon confirmed the petition was already signed by over 100 people while many others are expected to sign it.

She condemned such action as she conveyed her condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased.