Headlines: Family grieves as body of Sione Tuikoro found under Lovu Bridge in Lautoka; police say foul play not yet determined
Summary: The family of Sione Tuikoro is mourning after his body was found under Lautoka’s Lovu bridge on August 10. Police are investigating and a postmortem is underway. The family hopes for answers as the community offers support.
Article:
The family of Sione Tuikoro is reeling after authorities confirmed his body was recovered from beneath Lautoka’s Lovu Bridge on August 10. Tuikoro’s first cousin, Stella Rabua, shared details of the last conversations she had with him the day before his death, painting a picture of a man whose outings had become more troubled in recent hours.
We last spoke on Saturday, Rabua recalled, and he told me he planned to retrieve his wallet from a young woman he had given it to during a night of drinking, before returning. He had been part of a fundraiser gathering on Thursday, August 7, and I heard he began drinking then. He also said he would pick up the wallet from an address on Jinnu Road in Waiyavi and return, around 6pm that Saturday.
Rabua said family members rushed to the scene when the body was found on August 10, where Tuikoro appeared unconscious. She also recalled trying to intervene when he left the previous day in a Probox, a vehicle, and noted that he had declined her offer to drive him to Waiyavi.
Tuikoro, a farmer and father of two, was known to his relatives as generally moderate in his drinking. Rabua described him as kind-hearted and jovial, and said family members were shocked by how much he had consumed that day. “We think he probably was drinking in town and tried to walk back home, so he might have fallen near the bridge,” she said.
Rabua added that Tuikoro typically stayed with her when traveling from Yasawa, highlighting his roles as a partner and father. Police have told the family that a postmortem examination is being conducted to determine the cause of death. The family noted that the body would likely be laid to rest in Yasawa, though funeral arrangements have not been finalized.
Police spokesperson Wame Bautolu issued a measured statement, noting that any determination of foul play would require completion of investigations. Tuikoro is survived by his two children.
Context and broader note:
The Lautoka area has seen several high-profile deaths and investigations in recent weeks, underscoring the importance of thorough inquiries and community support during painful times. In related cases, families have emphasized the need for clarity from authorities as autopsies and investigations proceed, and communities have rallied to provide comfort and practical help to grieving relatives.
Key facts:
– Deceased: Sione Tuikoro, father of two, farmer
– Location of death: near Lovu Bridge, Lautoka
– Date body found: August 10
– Last known contact: August 9; planned to retrieve wallet from a woman; had attended a fundraiser on August 7
– Condition at scene: described as unconscious by family
– Family notes: Tuikoro normally drank in moderation; family shocked by recent level of drinking
– Next steps: postmortem examination underway; investigations ongoing; funeral arrangements to be announced; body to be transported to Yasawa for burial
– Official stance: foul play not confirmed until investigations are complete
Additional comments:
– This case reinforces the need for ongoing, transparent investigations into sudden deaths in the area, to provide closure for families and reassurance for communities.
– Community support and dialogue with police can help families navigate the aftermath and plan for eventual memorials.
– If readers have information related to the incident, authorities urge them to come forward to aid the investigation.
Hopeful note:
While the family seeks answers, their shared memories of Tuikoro as a kind-hearted, family-oriented man can become a source of strength for others in the community, highlighting resilience and solidarity in the face of tragedy.
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