Police probe gruesome death of Tamavua-i-Wai teenager

The gruesome death of a 15-year-old boy from the Tamavua-i-Wai informal settlement has left residents in shock after his decapitated body was discovered in the area.

Police said the teenager had been reported missing since Christmas Eve after leaving home with a group of friends to go to Suva.

An eyewitness and uncle of the victim, Adriu Koi, 30, said the body was found about 10 metres uphill from his home. yesterday afternoon

“The closer I got, the stronger the stench became. I knew something dead was lying there, but I did not realise I had stepped on his leg,” Mr Koi said.

He said the boy’s head was found a few metres away from the body and that the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition, with clothing located nearby.

Mr Koi said this was the first time such an incident had occurred in the area.

He contacted his brother to help identify the body before they alerted Samabula Police Station. The victim was identified by his clothing.

A resident who lives opposite the site, Lesila Ravuci, 24, said people had noticed a foul smell in the area but did not suspect it was a human body.

“The last time I remember seeing him was when he was with other youths drinking a short distance from where his body was found,” Ravuci said.

“After that, Christmas and the days that followed were quiet.”

Residents became aware of the discovery after police and forensic officers arrived to secure the area and remove the body.

The victim’s parents were taken by police yesterday to provide statements.

Police investigations are continuing.