The pregnant woman who allegedly died at the hands of her husband last December remains in the morgue.
The mother of the woman has made a public appeal for the Ministry of Police and Prisons to release her daughter’s body for burial.
Makerita Lefao told Radio Polynesia, they have been patient but where does the line draw.
“It is not our fault there is no forensic pathologist on Island to conduct the autopsy ordered by the Coroner, her body is deteriorating and I cannot sit idle when that is happening.”
The pregnant woman was allegedly stabbed by her husband Edward Ulberg of Vailoa Faleata who pleaded not guilty to the charges of assault and murder. He is currently behind bars at the Tanumalala Prison.
Mrs Lefao told Radio Polynesia, that their family has been to the Ministry of Police and Prison for assistance on many occasions pleading to release her daughter’s body for burial.
“But we have been the same response, that they cannot help. “Each time we have visited Peta at the morgue, her body has changed significantly. It is deteriorating and giving a foul smell,” said Mrs Lefao while fighting her emotions on her back.
“How can they continue to give me the same answers when my daughter’s body is decomposing,” said the mother.
She said her son-in-law’s family have already conducted a traditional apology so they feel there is no need to have an autopsy and the Police should just release her daughter’s body.
“She’s been in the morgue for over six months, the apology has been rendered but what more do the Police want,” asked the mother.
Adding that a letter was sent to the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration for the Coroner. The letter was signed by the Chiefs of their family urging the Coroner to release her daughter’s body.
However, according to Mrs Lefao, there has been no favourable response from the Police.
Deputy Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo in response, says the body is under the custody of the Coroner and the Police do not have the authority to make such a release unless it is approved by the Coroner as stipulated under the Coroner’s Act.
“However the Coroner cannot make a ruling unless an autopsy is conducted to fulfil the requirement under the Act.
“We understand and feel for the mother, but under the law, it is the Coroner that makes this decision.
For [alleged] murder cases, an autopsy is required to determine the cause of death.
“There are currently nine bodies at the morgue that requires post mortem and until we have a pathologist on Island to conduct the autopsy there is nothing more they can do,” explained Auapa’au.
In the meantime, the Coroner and District Court Judge, Alalatoa Rosella Papalii issued a directive to the Attorney General’s office and Director-General for the Ministry of Health for a pathologist to be sourced “urgently to conduct post mortems” including the body of a 14 yr old infant (by definition under the infant’s Ordinance) within 30 days from the 15th February 2022.
To date, the number of bodies at the morgue continues to increase but there is no pathologist on Island.
