The family of a man stabbed several times on the head at Aele last week fears permanent memory loss and long-term brain damage as a result of the incident.  

The 30-year old father-of-three, Tasi Tanielu, is still in the hospital.

But his uncle, Tautea Koyo, relayed the bad news to the Samoa Observer yesterday.

“The hospital reported back to us after his surgery that he’s in a critical state,” he said. “The blows to his head has led to memory loss and he is suffering from serious brain injuries.”

Tautea said the news is devastating as Mr. Tanielu might never be the same again.

“He can barely walk on his own now I don't know if he can fully understand anything,” he said.

“He’s forgotten a lot of people, family names and that’s a real worry for us, his wife and his young children.”

Mr. Tanielu works at one of the companies in town.

“He’s a breadwinner to our family. The centre of his life are his children and that kept him going (to work) everyday.

The alleged attack happened when Mr. Tanielu went with another family member to a shop when another man from their village attacked him. The reason for the attack is not known.

 “My nephew was stabbed from the back,” he said. “There are two deep cuts on his head, he was rushed to the hospital where he remains in a critical condition as of today.”

Police Media Officer, Maotaoali’i Kaioneta Kitiona, confirmed that the accused man faces an attempted murder charge.