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 over the death of 12-year-old Lote Qima, whose body was found near his home in Wailoku on Friday, as police confirmed only one suspect is being investigated.
Police spokesperson Wame Bautolu said officers were continuing to gather statements from residents in the area.
“Just a suspect at the moment. Police are continuing gathering statements around the area,” Mr Bautolu told this masthead yesterday.
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He confirmed investigations were continuing.
Lote, also known as Duqa, was last seen playing at a neighbour’s home in Wairua Settlement last W e d n e s d a y evening a n d d i d n o t return.
He was reported missing by his mother before his body was discovered near his home around midday on Friday.
The case has drawn comparisons to the death of a 15-year-old boy from Tamavua-i-Wai, whose decapitated body was found last December 30 after he went missing on Christmas Eve.
This masthead sought comment from Police on concerns raised over the similarities between the two cases, but there was no response as of press time.
The family of the victim declined to comment.
