The Acting Chief Justice, Vui Clarence Nelson, has ordered a coronial inquest into the death of an 18-year-old girl. 

The Court order dated May 8, 2019 comes close to four months after the girl was laid to rest. 

“I also make an order in my capacity as a Coroner opening a coronial inquest into the circumstances, which led to the death of the complainant. The coronial inquest is to be conducted by the Coroner’s Court,” stated the order. 

District Court Judge Alalatoa Rosella Papali’i has been appointed to oversee the coronial inquest. 

At the time of her death, the deceased was under the care of the Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G.). 

Also included in the Court order is a suppression order by the Acting Chief Justice. 

“Suppression order is extended to the proceedings that will be conducted before the Coroner’s Court, which prohibits the publication of the names or any other details that can lead to identification of the victim.” 

Speaking during the funeral of the victim, the S.V.S.G. President Siliniu Lina Chang said she came under their care in September last year.

She had a stroke in November last year during her time with the Group but was able to give a statement to the Police on her alleged abuse before her passing in February this year. 

Her biological father has been charged by the Police with the Court hearing scheduled for August this year. 

A coronial inquest is a public hearing that is held to determine the medical cause of a death and the circumstances surrounding the death of a person.