A family’s plan to celebrate Christmas together to farewell their sister and her family before they leave for overseas has turned into a tragedy.

Mereani Salakabu yesterday related the story of how her eldest brother, Eremasi Saukuru, 59, died at home while drinking with their youngest brother, Sakiusa Ledua, who is in his 30s. Ledua is in Police custody as investigation continues.

The family lives at Lakeba Street, Suva.

Police said Mr Saukuru, a quantity surveyor, died from injuries received in a fight that allegedly broke out after an argument early yesterday morning.

Mrs Salakabu said her brother had returned home early from work on Wednesday and was drinking beer with his youngest brother.

“I went to check him and Ledua after 12am when their voices kept getting louder; I told them to stop drinking and go to sleep but they didn’t want to listen,” Mrs Salakabu said.

“I couldn’t sleep and around 4am yesterday we heard a loud bang on the floor as if something heavy had fallen.

“My husband went up to check and saw him lying on the floor. He tried going to check on him but was stopped by our brother,” she said.

“When he came back he said that something was wrong with him.”

She said they heard her younger brother shouting afterwards.

“My husband went up again and saw that he was trying to revive him but it was too late. My younger brother told us that he was sitting on a chair when he fell and hit his face.

“We saw bruises on the side of his face and mouth,” she said.

Mrs Salakabu said this Christmas would not be the same without him.

“He was the one who used to make our ‘lovo’ every Christmas but now it’s no more.”

Police director of Criminal Investigations Department SSP Kishore Kumar confirmed a man in his 30’s was in custody as investigations continue.

“While a post-mortem will be conducted to ascertain the cause of death, this tragic incident has sparked a warning about the consequences of over-indulging in alcohol this festive season,” Mr Kishore said.

Edited by: Manasa Kalouniviti

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