Police continue gathering statements in investigation into 12-year-old's death
He was reported missing by his mother before his body was discovered near his home around midday on Friday.
Monday 03 August 2026 | 08:00
Police are holding a 29-year-old man in custody as investigations continue into the death of 12-year-old Lote Qima, whose body was found near his home in Wailoku last Friday.
Police spokesperson Wame Bautolu confirmed yesterday that only one suspect was currently under investigation as officers continued interviewing residents and gathering statements.
"Just a suspect at the moment. Police are continuing gathering statements around the area," Mr Bautolu told this masthead.
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He said investigations were ongoing.
Lote, also known as Duqa, was last seen playing at a neighbour's home in Wairua Settlement on Wednesday evening before he failed to return home.
His mother reported him missing, and his body was found near the family's home around midday two days later.
The case has drawn comparisons with the death of a 15-year-old boy from Tamavua-i-Wai, whose decapitated body was found on December 30 last year after he went missing on Christmas Eve.
This masthead sought comment from Police on concerns about similarities between the two cases. However, no response was received by press time.
The victim's family declined to comment.
