Police have arrested a 32-year-old man in connection with the murder of a 15-year-old boy at Kuava Village in Vella La Vella, Western Province, on 3 January 2026.
Supervising Assistant Commissioner (AC) Provincial, Mr Tex Tafoa, confirmed the deceased was a key police witness in an ongoing murder case from December 2024.
Mr Tafoa said the deceased and two other boys from the same village had gone to the suspectβs house when the incident occurred. While they were standing together, the suspect allegedly asked the deceased for his kitchen knife, which was handed over without any knowledge of the suspectβs intentions.
βIt is alleged that the suspect took the knife and stabbed the deceased in the chest,β Mr Tafoa said.
The victim attempted to flee but collapsed and lost consciousness. He was transported to Gizo Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The suspect has been arrested and charged with murder contrary to section 200 of the Penal Code (Cap 26). He is currently remanded at Gizo Correctional Facility pending trial.
Police confirmed the deceased was a key witness in a separate murder case currently before the courts. That case involves the death of a man in his 70s whose body was found near the Sagorana coconut plantation on 28 December 2024.
Nine suspects have been arrested in relation to that incident. Police allege the attack was planned following a sorcery-related dispute dating back to 2023.
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