'How Do I Explain To Our Daughter Of Her Dad’s Demise?'

Litia Naivalulevu Smith will never know exactly how to explain to her one-year-old daughter of her dad’s demise.

Joseph Steven Smith’s body was found floating in the Wainibokasi River on Monday, a Police report said.

The report said he is believed to have drowned. But a post-mortem which would determine the cause of death is yet to be released as investigations continue.

The late Mr Smith’s body was discovered by a woman who was collecting freshwater mussels at the river.

Joseph Steven Smith.

“He had told me that afterwards he would visit his family in Makoi. That was our last conversation.

“On Sunday I felt restless because he was not calling me.

“I later realised that he had left his phone here at home so I called my in-laws and they said he had not visited them.

“I could not sleep that night because I was really worried.”

She said it was not until Monday morning when Police officers relayed the news to her.

“I just couldn’t accept the news. I just cried my heart out, my heart is broken into pieces,” she said.

“There are so many unanswered questions that remain because of his death and I hope the Police will really get to the bottom of this.”

She said they had just celebrated their daughter’s first birthday a few months ago and her husband had ensured that it was a grand celebration.

“The whole village came to celebrate, there was a big bouncy castle here and he made sure his daughter got the best.

“My daughter does not really understand what is happening now but I just don’t know how I would explain it to her when she asks for her father when she is grown up.”

She said her husband loved her and spoiled her and her daughter.

“He never raised his voice on me and he never was violent, I will really miss him.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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