Figiel, 59, had been in police custody in Samoa since 2024, when she was arrested and charged over the alleged murder of fellow writer and academic, Dr Caroline Sinavaiana Gabbard (78).
Sia Figiel was an award-winning writer whose works were celebrated around the Pacific. Photo / Supplied
Gabbard’s body was discovered at Figiel’s home in the village of Vaivase-Uta. She was an aunt of American politician and US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard – the first Samoan-American to reach Congress.
Figiel had pleaded not guilty to five charges, including murder, and was awaiting her next Supreme Court hearing.
Samoa’s Acting Police Commissioner, Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga, has told Samoan media that Figiel was the prisoner found dead in a cell at the Tanumalala Prison facility.
A cause of death has not been released by authorities and Samoan police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the author’s death.
Figiel’s body has since been transferred to a hospital morgue. A decision on whether or not a post-mortem examination will be carried out is not yet known, Talamua Media reported.
Figiel’s works are well-known and respected around the Pacific and in New Zealand, where they have been published over the years. Her poetry and writing have been taught in schools.
Since news of her death, many people have paid tribute to Figiel via social media.
Vaimoana Mase is the Pasifika editor for the Herald’s Talanoa section, sharing stories from the Pacific community. She won junior reporter of the year at the then Qantas Media Awards in 2010 and won the best opinion writing award at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards.