Coroner Warns Against Using Papalii Sia Figiel’s Death as “Morbid Public Propaganda”

In a significant legal development, the Coroner of Samoa has issued a prohibition order against publishing details surrounding the death of Papalii Sia Figiel, who died in police custody at Tanumalala prison on Monday, January 26, 2026.

The order, issued by Coroner Judge Her Honour Alalatoa Rosella Vuane Papalii, specifically restricts the publication of information relating to deaths suspected to be self-inflicted without prior approval from the Coroner’s office. This measure applies to all parties, including the Ministry of Police and media outlets both in Samoa and internationally.

Figiel had been at the center of a high-profile murder case that shocked the small Pacific nation. She was arrested in May 2024 and charged with the murder of Dr. Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard, a pioneering academic who, at 78, had achieved the distinction of being the first Samoan granted full professorship by an American university—a significant achievement for Pacific Islander representation in international academia.

During Figiel’s trial in the Supreme Court in August 2025, her defense strategy focused on her mental health condition. Her legal team, led by attorney Unasa Iuni Sapolu, presented medical evidence indicating that Figiel suffered from a psychotic disorder for which she was receiving medication. Court observers noted that Figiel displayed visible emotional distress during the proceedings, particularly when forensic evidence about the crime scene and the victim’s body was presented.

The case has generated intense public interest in Samoa, where violent crimes of this nature are relatively uncommon. The prominence of the victim in academic circles added to the media attention surrounding both the trial and Figiel’s subsequent death in custody.

The sequence of events leading to the prohibition order began on Friday, February 6, 2026, when the Samoa Police issued a statement containing findings from a pathologist report regarding Figiel’s death. Samoa Global News published an article based on this police information. However, by Saturday, February 7, the publication received the Coroner’s order via email and promptly removed the article from its website and social media platforms.

The Coroner’s order explicitly states: “Unless approved by the Coroner, all persons (including the Ministry of Police and all media outlets in Samoa and abroad) are strictly prohibited from publishing or broadcasting in any way or form, any details relating to the manner of death of Ms Figiel or any other death where there is reasonable cause to believe the death was self-inflicted.”

The prohibition reflects Samoa’s legal approach to reporting on suspected suicides, which aims to prevent contagion effects and protect the dignity of the deceased and their families. Similar restrictions exist in other Pacific nations and many Commonwealth countries, where coronial investigations are given precedence over immediate public disclosure in sensitive cases.

In a notable aspect of the order, the Coroner urged the public and media to refrain from turning Figiel’s death into “morbid public propaganda.” The statement emphasized the importance of respecting Figiel, her family, and loved ones as they navigate through this difficult time, while also calling for adherence to the established legal processes governing coronial deaths.

“It is urged that we all respect Ms Figiel, her family and loved ones as they navigate through this tragic loss instead of turning her death into morbid public propaganda,” the order stated. “It is further urged that the law governing a coronial death and its legal process be observed and respected by all.”

The case highlights the delicate balance between public interest in high-profile cases and the legal and ethical considerations surrounding deaths in custody, particularly when mental health issues are involved. It also underscores the responsibilities of media outlets in reporting on sensitive matters where legal restrictions apply.

For now, the full circumstances of Figiel’s death remain subject to the coronial investigation process, with any further public disclosure pending the Coroner’s explicit approval.