Coroner urges we must all stop turning Papalii Sia Figiel’s death into morbid public propaganda

2026-02-07 - 08:48

The Coroner has issued an Order Prohibiting the publication of any details relating to the death of Papalii Sia Figiel, who died while in police custody at Tanumalala prison Monday morning 26 January 2026. Papalii was arrested in May 2024 and charged with the brutal murder of Dr Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard. Dr Caroline, 78 at the time of her death, was the first Samoan to be granted full professorship by an American University. During Papalii’s trial, held in the Supreme Court in August 2025, her defense against the murder of Dr Caroline had centred around her mental state. Defense presented medical evidence in Court stating she suffers from a psychotic disorder for which was was on medication. During the trial Papalii sat just behind her lawyer, afioga Unasa Iuni Sapolu, and cried uncontrollably when the Police forensic witness described the crime scene and the decead’s body when it was eventually found by police. The Coroner Judge, Her Honour Alalatoa Rosella Vuane Papalii has issued an Order, warning that the publication of deaths where it is suspected the cause is self-inflcted, cannot be made without the Coroner’s prior approval. On Friday evening 6th February 2026 the Samoa Police issued a statement which highlighted the findings of a pathologist report. Samoa Global News published an article based on the information released by Samoa Police. On Saturday 7th February 2026 the Court Order was received via email stating the Coroners Orders and the Samoa Global News article was unpublished and taken down from socials. “Unless approved by the Coroner, all persons (including the Ministry of Police and all media outlets in Samoa and abroad) are strictly prohibited from publishing or broadcasting in any way or form, any details relating to the manner of death of Ms Figiel or any other death where there is reasonable cause to believe the death was self-inflicted..” The Coroner als9 called on everyone to stop turning the death of the accused mirderer while in police custody, into “morbid public propaganda.” “It is urged that we all respect Ms Figiel, her family and loved ones as they navigate through this tragic loss instead of turning her death into morbid public propaganda. It is further urged that the law governing a coronial death and its legal process be observed and respected by all. The Order