Tulsi Gabbard breaks silence on 'horrific' murder of aunt Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard

US News

By Nicholas McEntyre

Former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has paid tribute to her late aunt, who was allegedly murdered by a famous protégé and author in Samoa last month, saying the brutal killing sent “shockwaves through our family.”

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to send me warm messages of prayers and condolences following the tragic murder of my aunt in Samoa,” Gabbard said in a tribute posted on social media Tuesday.

Gabbard posted a series of photos from her childhood with her aunt Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard while Tagata's “Oute Alofa” played on the collage.

Sinaviana-Gabbard was found dead at the home of award-winning Samoan author Papalii Sia Figiel in the village of Vaivase-Uta on May 25.

Figiel, 57, is accused of stabbing Sinaviana-Gabbard multiple times with a knife before bludgeoning the poet with a hammer during a violent argument.

The two women were alone inside Figiel's home, which also serves as the community's local theater, called the GaluMoana Theater, when the deadly confrontation took place, according to local reports.

“My Aunt Caroline was my father's only sister and the only one of our parents who lived in Hawaii when I was little,” the former congresswoman said in her post.

“I spent a lot of time with her as a child at her cottage deep in the Manoa Valley, where she often shared her poetry with me and encouraged me to pursue my own writing,” she said. added.

Tulsi Gabbard, 43, was born in American Samoa before her family moved to Hawaii when she was just two years old.

When she was sworn in to represent Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District in 2013, she became the first Samoan-American to serve as a voting member of Congress.

Sinaviana-Gabbard, a poet and retired professor at the University of Hawaii at Honolulu, was the older sister of Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard, Tulsi's father.

“Caroline was my best friend when I was a teenager,” Mike Gabbard said in a statement to Spectrum News. “I love her dearly and wish her well as she continues her journey.”

Sinavaiana-Gabbard taught creative writing at the University of Hawaii for nearly 20 years and was an associate professor of Pacific literature at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, according to Samoa News.

Tulsi Gabbard, one of several contenders to be Donald Trump's next running mate, said her aunt's “horrific death sent shockwaves” through her family.

“The news of his horrific death sent shockwaves through our family. We miss her, cherish the happy memories we shared and keep her in our prayers. Life is short. Keep those you love close and make the most of each day we are lucky enough to live,” Gabbard concluded.

Following the alleged murder, Fiegel reportedly fled the scene to a friend's house before turning himself in to police.

The famous Samoan author and playwright was initially accused of manslaughter, but her charges were upgraded following a police investigation.

Local media reported that the women, both involved in the literary world, were close associates.

Sinavaiana-Gabbard has been described in numerous reports as Figiel's mentor.