Father’s wait for justice nears end as probe turns to murder

For almost five years, a father has been haunt­ed by dreams of his missing son crying for help; waking in the night in tears and fearing the worst as the silence dragged on.

The long wait may finally be nearing its end.

Yesterday, the Commission­er of Police, Rusiate Tudravu, confirmed that significant progress has been made in the investigation into the dis­appearance of Eliki Yaco Jr.

The case is now being treated as an alleged murder.

He said discussions with the Office of the Director of Pub­lic Prosecutions were con­tinuing.

For Eliki Rarawa Snr, the update has brought a rush of emotion after years of hoping for clarity.

He said he had often dreamt of his son crying as if asking for help, leaving him restless and waking in the night wondering what truly happened.

“We have waited so long to hear this,” he said.

He said the past five years had been filled with sleepless nights and unanswered questions, with only the reassurance that investigations were ongoing.

Thirteen days after his son was first reported missing, he began to fear the worst.

Yaco Jr, 23, was last seen on May 31, 2020, leaving Nukuni Village, Ono-i-Lau, to collect a public servant from a picnic spot on the island.

It was initially alleged that he was attacked by a shark while returning to the village.

Speaking from their home in Makoi, the father said it had been painful to think of what his eldest son may have faced, but he believed that the truth was finally drawing near.

With the latest developments, he is clinging to hope that closure, and justice, are now within reach.