Stabbing force bent knife blade, forensic pathologist tells court

A forensic pathologist told the High Court in Suva yesterday that the knife used to kill a pregnant woman was driven with such force that its tip bent into a hook after striking her spinal bone.

The evidence was heard during the trial of 27-year-old Apisai Madigibuli, who is accused of killing his de facto partner, Kitiana Baravilala, and her unborn baby at Waimanu Apartments in Suva on April 24, 2024.

Dr Sainiana Ratuki, who conducted the post-mortem examination of Baravilala, 26, told the court the blade had to be removed by a technician after she was unable to pull it out herself.

When it was finally removed, the tip had curved into a hook shape after penetrating the sixth cervical vertebra, a bone in the centre of the neck.

Dr Ratuki told the court the victim sustained two stab wounds to the right side of her neck.

The deeper of the two wounds completely severed the common carotid artery, a major blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain.

She said that without medical treatment, a person could fall into a coma and die within five to 10 minutes of that artery being cut.

The court also heard that the knife severed Baravilala’s spinal cord in her neck, meaning she would have been immediately paralysed and unable to breathe or move her limbs.

Dr Ratuki said wounds found on Baravilala’s left arm and wrist were defensive injuries, indicating she was awake and attempting to protect herself during the attack. One wound nearly severed her left hand at the wrist.

The cause of death was recorded as severe blood loss resulting from the neck injuries.

The court also heard from emergency doctor Vandana Prasad, who examined the body at Colonial War Memorial Hospital on the morning of April 25, 2024.

Dr Prasad told the court the knife was still embedded in Baravilala’s neck when the body arrived at the hospital in a police vehicle.

The trial continues before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere.